Pieter de Putter

With J. Singer, London, by 1939;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 12 April 1940;
Probably sale S.H..., Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts, 21 May 1951, lot 76;
With L. van Amerongen, Breda, by 1964;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 12/13 November 1991, lot 200;
Anonymous sale, The Hague, Venduehuis, 16-18 November 1993, lot 207 & lot 208;
Anonymous sale, London, Philips, 19 April 1994, lot 95.

L.M. Helmus (ed.), Fish, Still Lifes by Dutch and Flemish masters 1550 - 1700, Utrecht 2004, pp. 246-7, reproduced p. 246.

The two catalogue illustrations are representative for the actual paintings. Both panels consist of three vertical planks, and both are cradled. Two of the joints are clearly visible to the front. Both paint surfaces are in good and stable condition, no damages are visible to the naked eye. The paint layer is covered with a clear and somewhat glossy varnish. Inspection under UV-light reveals extensive retouchings in both paintings, especially throughout the background and in their brown garb, some areas along the joints and in the woman's left hand. However, the faces and fish are well preserved. Both paintings appear to have been recently cleaned. Offered in two ebony frames, in fine condition. (JD).
"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."

Pieter de Putter belongs to the earliest generation of fish-still life painters. He painted freshwater fish almost exclusively, but, as here, he also produced several works with large scale figures in the characteristic garb of fisherfolk. All other known examples of these figural types depict men holding a pike, standing behind a table with an extensive fish still life, such as the one sold, London, Christie's, 12 December 1986, lot 39. In the present works attention is mostly drawn to the portrait-like studies of the fisherman and the fisherwoman, but the fish themselves, in their typically cool and brownish tones, are entirely in keeping with De Putter's individual fish still lifes.