Anthonie Verstraelen

Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 12 June 1990, lot 168;
There purchased by the present collector.

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 charming panel in its beautiful frame is in lovely condition. With the exception of a few tiny spots of retouch in the upper sky addressing a dent in the panel in the upper right, the painting is in remarkably good condition. If the varnish were to be freshened, the painting could be hung as is. The dent in the panel in the upper right could be filled and visually eliminated, but the paint is still well adhered to the panel, despite the distortion to the surface.
"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."

Verstraelen was a close follower of Hendrik and Barend Avercamp and, like them, specialized in the depiction of winter scenes showing people and animals on frozen canals.  It is well documented that winters in the Netherlands in the 17^th century were particularly harsh, with prolonged periods of freezing.  Dutch artists were provided ample opportunity to portray their countrymen working and playing on the frozen rivers and canals.  Skating was not only a diversion, but a useful means of transportation.  This charming small panel depicts a frozen waterway with figures skating while others rely on sledges, the larger one horse-drawn, to get around on the ice.

We are grateful to Marijke C. de Kinkelder of the RKD, The Hague for confirming the attribution to Verstraelen on the basis of a photograph.