ABRAHAM STORCK | A fortified Mediterranean port with an obelisk and a galley moored nearby

With Leger & Sons, London, 1955;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman of Title'), London, Sotheby's, 7 December 1994, lot 4;
Where purchased by Dimitri Mavrommatis, London;
By whom sold, London, Sotheby's, 5 December 2007, lot 45;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Private Collector'), New York, Sotheby's, 28 January 2010, lot 265;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 29 January 2015, lot 339;
Where acquired by the present owner.

The painting overall is in good condition and presents a lovely image. The panel is uncradled, flat and stable, made up of two horizontal boards and beveled on all four edges. The painting surface is clean and the varnish is slightly discoloured. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals minor retouchings scattered through the sky and water, along the horizontal wood grain. There are also minor spot retouchings along all four margins. The painting requires no further work and is ready to hang in its present state. Offered in a Dutch-style ebonised wood frame in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Abraham Storck may have never visited Italy, yet compositions such as the present work unmistakably evoke the atmosphere of a bustling Mediterranean port. The Dutch artist’s knowledge of Italian architecture and landmarks likely arose from the travels of his artistic contemporaries, including Jan Asselijn and Jan Weenix, who brought their experiences back to Amsterdam by way of their paintings. This depiction, for example, includes an obelisk and the circular edifice of the Castel Sant'Angelo, both of which can be found in Rome. Although Storck’s topographical harbour scenes are imagined representations, they can be considered important precursors of the celebrated Italian capricci and architectural fantasies of the eighteenth century.