George Encil, Vienna and the Bahamas.

R. Pallucchini, in Experience and Adventures of a Collector, Paris 1989, pp. 28-9.

"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."

This painting may have originally formed part of a series of the Four Seasons. Another such, also signed  and formerly in the collection of the Marqués de Leganés in Spain in 1642, was sold in these Rooms, 11 December 1996, lot 41 (for £40,000). Another version is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna (see E. Arslan, I Bassano, Milan 1960, vol. I, p. 238, no. 304, reproduced vol. II, fig. 289). The form of the signature refers to the knighthood conferred on the artist by the Doge Marino Grimani (1532-1605), and the painting can therefore be dated between his accession as Doge in 1595 and his death ten years later.