Jacob Rootius

With Galerie M. Schulthess, Basel;
Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie's, 14th December 1990, lot 124 for £55,000.

Basel, Kunstmuseum, Hollandhilfe, 1945, no. 47 (as by Abraham Mignon).

The tone of the painting is slightly redder than the catalogue illustration. The canvas has an old relining. There is an old, repaired damage running down from the left of the upper margin, measuring approximately 7 cm. Two further old, repaired acratch can be found in the centre of the painting; the first measures approximately 15 cm. and runs horizontally from the central tulip to the right hand edge of the rose to its right, the second measures approximately 12cm. and runs vertically from the white lily at the upper centre of the composition to the jonquil below it. Another old, repaired damage of approximately 1 by 4cm. is visible on the left hand side of the vase. The paint surface is clean and secure, with the detail of many of the flowers well preserved. However, the yellows of the painting, particularly in the sunflower and jonquil, as well as the darker tones of the background are somewhat abraded, and there is also some abrasion to the orange lily just above the sunflower. The paint surface is generally in a good state but has been somewhat compressed by the relining. Inspection under UV light confirms retouchings to the aforementioned damages and scratches, and also reveals some very minor scattered retouchings and strengthenings amongst the flowers. Offered in a modern wooden frame in good condition.
"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."

Still lifes by Rootius, who was a pupil and follower of Jan Davidsz. de Heem, are now very rare. A very similar still life of the same dimensions, signed and dated 1674, was sold in these Rooms 2 December 1964, lot 24 (reproduced in W. Bernt, The Netherlandish painters of the seventeenth century, vol. III, Oxford 1970, p. 981).