Willem Claesz. Heda

Believed to have been in the present family ownership since the 19th Century or earlier, and probably the picture described in a manuscript family inventory, undated, but annotated before 1931, as one of two small still life paintings: 2 kleinere Olgemalde ( Stilleben ) among six paintings in the Kabinett;
Thence by descent.

"The following condition report has been provided by Sarah Walden, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting is on a fine oak panel, bevelled on all sides, with two joints. The joint on the right has been reglued and was at one time supported behind by a succession of crossbars or more probably crossing strips of canvas, now removed. There is also a short old crack, about five inches long, running up from the left base into the edge of the curling peel of the lemon. This has evidently stabilised itself long ago, with a slight ridge, and the panel is otherwise completely flat with no sign of movement. Much of the central still life is in beautiful condition, with some thinner patches in the background. There are little strengthening retouchings clustered in these thinner areas: a patch in the inner crest of the arch, some patches down the darker left side in the alcove, with more little retouchings around the left curve of the arch and around the left edge of the central glass, scattered touches in the lower foreground below the ledge, with a few near the signature, and various patches of retouching up the right joint. There are three small semi horizontal accidental scrapes filled and retouched, across the joint and in the upper part of the tall glass, where there are also other little touches. This restoration seems fairly recent with a patch of new thicker varnish at the centre of the top edge and some rather matter retouched patches. There are scattered little older retouches also visible in the background in various outer areas. The beautiful details of the still life itself are largely finely preserved however, with some messiness in the dramatic background setting. This report was not done under laboratory conditions."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer, who has inspected the panel in the original, for confirming that this unpublished and hitherto unknown painting is a typical example of Heda's work at this date.  The dark background and niche setting are unusual, but elements within the picture are found in other works of around this date: the roemer and overturned silver beaker for example are found in Heda's 1649 upright still life in the National Gallery, London.¹  We are further grateful to Dr. Martina Brunner Bulst for confirming on the basis of a transparency that this is an autograph work by Heda.

1.  See N.R.A. Vroom, A Modest Message..., vol. II, Schiedam 1980, p. 35, no. 50, reproduced.