Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
A landscape with the ruined castle of Egmond, a river beyond
Estimate:
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Property from a Private Collection
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
A landscape with the ruined castle of Egmond, a river beyond
A landscape with the ruined castle of Egmond, a river beyond
Estimate:
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Property from a Private Collection
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
Alkmaar 1606 - 1663 The Hague
A landscape with the ruined castle of Egmond, a river beyond
oil on canvas
unframed: 109.5 x 164.3 cm.; 43 1/8 x 64 3/4 in.
framed: 118.9 x 173.2 cm.; 46 7/8 x 68 1/4 in.
The canvas is lined, the paint surface is relatively clean with a slightly discoloured varnish. There are some discoloured retouchings scattered in the sky, notably a vertical band just visible, along the centre of the stretcher. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals two campaigns of retouching: one fluoresces lightly and is comprised of the aforementioned vertical band, as well as some concentrated spots of retouching in the clouds, centre right, and to a repaired damage, just left of the ruins (5x8cm.); the other campaign fluoresces darkly and is comprised of pinprick retouchings scattered in the sky and along the upper margin. There are a handful of repaired damages in the main composition, including one in the foliage below the central tower (2x3cm.), and to an area in the trees, lower left (10x3cm.). It is difficult to discern further intervention beneath the varnish, but there does appear to be some concentrated retouching along the lower margin. None of these impeded the legibility of the image, and the painting is in overall fairly good condition.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.
By descent in the family until sold, London, Christie's, 8 July 2005, lot 35, where acquired by the present owner.
The ruins of Egmond Castle, known locally as 'Slot op den Hoef', were a great source of inspiration for Dutch and Flemish artists - they were drawn by Roelant Roghman and Jan van Kessel, engraved by Abraham Rademaker and painted by Jacob van Ruisdael and Gerrit Adriaensz. Berckheyde, among others. The ruins depicted by Croos were the result of the devastation ordered by William I, Prince of Orange in 1573, who wanted to prevent the Spanish from capturing the strategic site. The ruins remained untouched, reminding onlookers of this event until they were sold and demolished between 1798 and 1832.
The attribution to Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos was confirmed by Dr Hans-Ulrich Beck on the basis of a transparency at the time of the 2005 sale, who pointed out that this is almost certainly the pendant to Ruins of the Abbey of Egmond at Buukerk, signed and dated 1659, in a private collection, Milan.1
1 See H-U. Beck, Kunstler Jan van Goyen, Doornspijk 1991, p. 94, cat. no. 215, reproduced fig. A67.