Adam Silo

With Richard Green, London, by 1966;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Paul Brandt, 25-28 November 1969, lot 17.

Weltkunst, 66, January 1966 (advertisement);
Connoisseur, 163, December 1966 (advertisement).

The actual painting looks more fresh in real than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has an effective relining (glue). The paint surface is in excellent condition, with no damages. A few tiny discoloured retouchings are visible in the sky, which is confirmed by inspection under UV light. Furthermore, UV light reveals that the somewhat dirty varnish layer has been unevenly applied. Overall, the painting is in very good condition. Offered in a decorative carved gilt wood frame, a few tiny chips. (ML)
"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."

This painting is a fine and characteristic example of Silo's marines, which were much-admired for the closely observed details and extraordinary accuracy of the ships. It is not surprising that Silo proved himself to be a highly talented painter of seascapes, for he was a successful shipbuilder in Holland, Sweden and Russia, and a sea captain himself until the age of thirty. He also made navigational instruments and wrote several books on the subject of shipbuilding. In 1697, he was appointed master of maritime technical drawing to the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, during the latter's stay in Amsterdam.¹ The Tsar commissioned Silo to paint at least five marines.

A closely related composition with a similar variety of ships was sold, London, Sotheby's, 27 April 2006, lot 65.

1. See R. Preston, The seventeenth century marine painters of the Netherlands, Leigh-on-Sea 1974, p. 43.