Lot 238
- 238
Follower of Adriaen van der Werff
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Adriaen van der Werff
- Vertumnus and Pomona
- signed with monogram on the stone cornice upper right: E.S.
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Anonymous sale, Monaco, Sotheby's, 16 June 1989, lot 35ꦯ6 (as by Adriaen van der Werff), for 510,600 FF.
Condition
The catalogue illustration is too red in tone. The painting has recently been cleaned, relined and restored and is in excellent overall condition. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals a repaired 5 cm horizontal tear in the upper left hand corner, and a small 50 mm sq damage beneath Vertumnus' foot. Apart from this and some strengthening to details of the urn and plinth in the landscape behind the figures the paint surface is beautifully preserved. The varnish remains clear and even and the painting is in no need of further attention.
Offered with an ebonised wood frame in the Dutch style 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
When the painting was last offered at auction in 1989 it bore Adriaen van der Werff's signature (AVD Werff) and a date of 1679, both of which have since disappeared after cleaning and restoration. Since then, however, an authentic monogram ('E.S.') - presumably referring to the artist rather than an inscription - has appeared in the upper right corner. The identity of this artist, who shows the influence of the Leiden fijnschilders and recalls in style not just Van der Werff but the Van Mieris family of painters as well, continues to elude scholars despite the painting's notably high quality of execution.