Willem Roelofs 1822-1897

Collection J.H. Martens, Amsterdam
Sale Amsterdam (C.F. Roos), 12 October 1886, lot 101 (as 'Journée d'été')
Bought at the above sale by Hermanus Koekkoek jr, London (for Dfl. 750,-)
Sale Amsterdam (Mak van Waay), 21 January 1947, lot 270, illustrated
Kunsthandel P.A. Scheen, The Hague

Brussels, Exposition Générale des Beaux-Arts, 1881, no. 664
The Hague, Pulchri Studio, Zomer Tentoonstelling, 1942, cat.no. 82
Oss, Museum Jan Cunen, Willem Roelofs 1822-1897. De adem der natuur, 26 November 2006 - 25 February 2007, no. 27
Rotterdam, Kunsthal, Willem Roelofs 1822-1897. De adem der natuur, 17 March - 13 May 2007, no. 27

Anon., 'Le Salon de Bruxelles, cinquième article', L'Art Moderne, 18 September 1881, p. 227
P.A. Scheen, Lexicon Nederlandse Beeldende Kunstenaars 1750-1950, The Hague 1970, illustration 265
M. van Heteren, R-J. te Rijdt, Willem Roelofs 1822-1897. De adem der natuur, Bussum 2006, pp. 120-121, colour illustration 27

The canvas has been relined. A sauced in area of 15x40cm. just above the horizon to the left of the cows. Nine scattered retouches in the sky. The landscape is untouched.
"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."

Willem Roelofs exhibited the present lot for the first time in Brussels in 1881 under the title 'Summer'. As indicated in a sketch, he painted the present lot between Hilversum and Loosdrecht (sketch in the collection of Pulchri Studio, The Hague, see illustration). 

Although clearly a Dutch landscape, the present lot impresses by the beautiful, almost Southern light and the vibrant sky, running from different shades of blue to even violet tonalities. Contemporary viewers praised the way in which Roelofs managed to suggest the 'glowing heat of summer' in this unusually large painting, which is without doubt one of the most ambitious canvasses the artist ever painted.