Isaac van Oosten

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 30 January 1998, lot 173.

The copper plate is flat. Overall the paint layer is very well preserved and in excellent condition. No major losses are visible to the naked eye. Under UV, a varnish is apparent; this may have been applied recently as it does not appear to have discolored. No retouches are visible under UV, only the central tree trunk appears dark. The picture may be hung in its current condition. In a carved wooden frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This charming depiction of an elegant hunting party in a forest is an extremely fine example of this genre of Flemish landscape painting.  Like many of van Oosten's compositions, the present work is on copper, which has beautifully preserved the rich, lush greens, blues and yellows of the forest foliage.  The artist's minute attention to the details of the leaves, branches and gnarled trunks of the trees, and the way he establishes depth using the winding river and distant town on the left, are indebted to the example of Jan Brueghel the Elder.