Dirk van der Aa

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. Both canvases have been lined. The paint layers are stable and the surface is well preserved. The canvases have lost tension resulting in mild cockling to both. Diana has one or two small losses, there is a scratch through the leg of the satyr and into the shrine and the faun has a small loss to his left knee; otherwise, the paintings are in excellent original condition. The varnish to both is heavily discoloured and degraded and the tonality would improve immensely with their removal. Beneath this varnish the impasto, texture and colour of the paint can be seen to be entirely intact. Offered in period gilt frames in good condition."
"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 Dr. Richard Harmanni for identifying these fine paintings as works by this rare Dutch decorative painter Dirk van der Aa and for dating them circa 1790. Van der Aa was active predominantly in The Hague and patronised by the Stadholder, William V, Prince of Orange and Nassau-Dietz.  Other examples of his work include the overdoors in the former royal palace at the Lange Voorhout in the Hague, now the Escher Museum.