Harmen Loeding

The actual painting is less red than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has a stable relining. No damages are apparent. The paint surface is generally sound, if a little abraded in the background. There's one small quite crude retouching in the background centre left and some additional small scattered ones in the background which are visible to the naked eye. The paint surface is under a slightly dirty varnish. Inspection under UV light reveals only a few small additional touches here and there, e.g. in the background, in the table cloth, and a few very tiny ones in the bread and foliage lower centre. Overall, this painting is in good condition. Offered in a decorative French style gilt wood frame with some minor losses.
"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."

We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer of the R.K.D., The Hague, for suggesting the attribution to Harmen Loeding. The rendering of the stone ledge, with its small vertical grooves, as well as the depiction of the tassels of the cloth are very distinctive for the artist.