PIETER VAN BOUCLE | Still life with a carp and a basket of mussels

oil on canvas; signed with monogram and dated lower centre: P.V.B. / 1651

Probably Gallery Alain Tarica, Paris;
Collection Yves Saint Laurent - Pierre Bergé, rue de Babylone, Paris.

Paris, Galerie Charpentier, Natures mortes françaises du XVIIe siècle à nos jours, 1951-1952, n°44;
Bordeaux, Galerie des Beaux-Arts, La Nature Morte de Brueghel à Soutine, 1978, n°18;
Münster, Westfälisches Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte, Baden-Baden, Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, Stilleben in Europa, 1980, p. 374, n° 203, ill. p. 377.

M. Faré, La nature morte en France, son histoire et son évolution du XVIIe siècle au XXe siècle, Geneva 1962, vol. I, p. 103 et vol II, p. 12 (repr. in colour);
B. Teyssedre, L'art français au siècle de Louis XIV, Paris 1967, p. 316;
M. Faré, Le Grand siècle de la Nature Morte en France, le XVIIe siècle, Paris 1974, p. 101 and 102 (repr. in colour);
J. Foucart, "Un peintre flamand à Paris; Pieter van Boucle", in Etudes d'art français offertes à Charles Sterling, Paris 1975, p. 249, n°27.

To the naked eye : The painting appears to be in good condition. It has been cleaned in the 2nd half of the 20th century, a little bit too strong, causing thinness especially in the backgrounds. The painting has been relined probably on the 1st part of the 20th century and a little bit too strong. We notice some retouchings on the carp's tail and some small ones on the lower right edge of the table. Unde U.V. light: The painted surface appears to be under a thick old varnish. We notice some small scattered restoration on the backgrounds, all along the right edge and some light strenhtening on the jug. Some minor restorations can be seen along the lower edge of the composition, near the edge of the canvas and in the background. A l'oeil nu : Le tableau se présente dans un état de conservation satisfaisant. Il a fait l'objet d'un nettoyage un peu fort au cours de la seconde partie du XXe siècle, qui a provoqué des usures particulièrement dans les fonds. Le tableau a fait l'objet d'un rentoilage un peu fort durant la première moitié du XXe siècle. On remarque quelques reprises au niveau de la queue de la carpe, et de toutes petites reprises sur l'entablement dans le bord inférieur droit. A la lampe U.V. : Le tableau apparaît sous un épais vernis vert ancien. On remarque quelques petites restaurations éparses dans les fonds, le long du bord droit, et de légères reprises au niveau de la carafe. On observe des restaurations dans le bas de la composition, au niveau du bord de la toile et du fond.
"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."