GILLIS CLAESZ. D'HONDECOETER | Landscape with cattle, horses, a cheetah, a camel and other animals

With Leger Gallery, London;
Dr Hans A. Wetzlar, Amsterdam, by 1960;
With Gebr. Douwes, Amsterdam, 1964;
From whom acquired by F.C. Butôt (1906–92), Sankt Gilgen, Austria;
His posthumous sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 16 November 1993, lot 42, where unsold and acquired post-sale.

Paris, Institut Néerlandais, Bestiaire Hollandais, 1–27 March 1960, no. 122;
Salzburg, Museumpavillon im Mirabellgarten, 12 July – 12 September 1972; Münster, Westfälisches Landesmuseum, 26 September 1972 – 14 January 1973, Niederländische Kunst aus dem Goldenen Jahrhundert;
Rotterdam, Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, Hollandse en Vlaamse Kunst uit de 17^e eeuw, 16 February – 1 April 1973;
Munich, Sotheby’s, A selection of paintings and drawings from the Collection of F.C. Butôt, June 1989.

Niederländisches Kunst aus dem Goldenen Jahrhundert--Gemälde und Zeichnungen im Umkreis grosser Meister aus der Sammlung F.C. Butôt, exhib. cat., Salzburg 1972, pp. 56–57, reproduced;
Hollandse en Vlaamse kunst uit de 17e eeuw: hoogtepunten van minder bekende meesters: schilderijen en tekeningen uit de verzameling F.C. Butôt, exhib. cat., Rotterdam 1973, pp. 58–59, reproduced;
L.J. Bol, Holländische Maler des 17. Jahrhunderts nahe den grossen Meistern, Brunswick 1973, pp. 130–31, reproduced p. 129, fig. 112;
L.J. Bol & G. Keyes, Netherlandish Paintings and Drawings from the Collection of F.C. Butôt, London 1981, pp. 13, 102, cat. no. 34, reproduced.

The single oak panel is uncradled, flat and stable. A horizontal split in the panel approx. 1 inch from the lower margin and running the width of the panel is supported on the reverse with a strip of canvas, and there is visible associated retouching along it. There is a horizontal surface crack approx. 2 inches from the upper margin extending from the left-hand margin for approx. 10 cm. There are two small, horizontal losses in the upper right corner, the longer of which measures 1 cm., which both have discoloured associated retouching. The paint surface is otherwise dirty with a very discoloured varnish. Inspection under ultraviolet light is impeded by the old, thick varnish, but confirms the aforementioned retouchings and reveals in addition small retouchings in the horse centre left, and in fine horizontal strokes in the sky to reduce the appearance of the wood grain. There appears to be little other intervention, and the panel is in overall 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."