Klaes Molenaer

Sir Charles Henry Tempest (1834-1894), Broughton Hall,  Yorkshire;
By descent to his daughter Ethel Tempest, who married Miles Stapleton (1850-1895), 10th Lord Beaumont in 1893;
Thence by direct family descent. 

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The oak panel, made up of five planks, has been inappropriately reinforced, constricting any movement, causing stress and resulting in splits to the panel between the joins which, despite some instability, are sound. The splits are obvious but clean. There is some restoration along the joins and the paint layer is raised and a little unstable, particularly in the darker passages. Much of the paint layer is in good original condition with the texture well preserved. The varnish is discoloured and opaque and masks the painting’s true tonality. Offered in a gilt wood frame with some chips."
"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."

This is amongst the largest landscapes by Molenaer and possibly the largest he executed on a winter theme. Works of comparable size were sold in these Rooms, 20 April 1988, lot 74, and London, Christie's, 4 July 1986, lot 12.