Salomon van Ruysdael

In the family of the present owner since at least 1950.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This large, complex painting has been lined, most likely with glue. The paint layer is quite yellow and dirty but there are numerous retouches which are very visible to the naked eye, particularly in the sky, which seem to address a mixture of abrasion and paint losses. These retouches are clearly visible above the trees in the center where there is a large area of retouching and in numerous spots in the sky on the right from top to bottom. In the darker colors of the trees, the water and the figures, there are also numerous restorations, in the water particularly, and in the sail of the boat and the foliage of the trees. It seems that although none of the restoration shows strongly under ultraviolet light, it has been very lazily and rapidly applied and if one looks at the figures and animals in the raft for instance, or in the ships in the distance on the right side or in the figures in the carriage in the center, one may see that the condition of the painting seems to be worn but not horribly compromised. The restorations are extremely amateurish and random, and although there is a legitimate condition issue with this painting, the restoration is doing nothing to help present the picture properly. For a large and complex work such as this, the appropriate restoration would be welcome and would present the picture much better
"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."