Jan Josefsz. van Goyen

Collection J.J. Cearuts (according to a wax seal on the reverse);
Anonymous sale, Cologne. 9 December 1898, lot 58, for 130 Marks;
G. Denekamp;
With P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1929-30;
With Duits, Amsterdam;
A.C.J.A. Stöcker, Amsterdam, 1940;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller, 22 June 1954, lot 27, for 4,500 Guilders;
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller, 22 March 1955, lot 911;
Dienst voor Schone Kunsten, Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, inventory no. 19-51 (according to a label on the reverse);
Anonymous sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 16 November 2005, lot 95 (with very little provenance, no exhibitions and no literature before 1987), for € 32,000.

Haarlem, 1940, no. 24;
Possibly exhibited Rotterdam, 1942-3, no. 21.

C. Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné..., vol. VIII, London 1927, p. 114, no. 430; 
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen 1596-1656, vol. II, Katalog der Gemälde, Amsterdam 1973, p. 511, no. 1175;
H.-U. Beck, Jan van Goyen 1596-1656, vol. III, Ergänzungen..., Doornspijk, 1987, vol. III, p. 278, no. 1175, reproduced.

The actual colours are cooler and less red than the illustration suggests. The support consists of a single flat and uncradled panel. The painting has recently been cleaned and restored and is in reasonable overall condition. The paint was originally very thinly applied and has become translucent or worn in many parts, allowing some underdrawing to show through clearly. Perhaps as a result of this there has been extensive retouching throughout the picture to disguise this, notably in the sky, especially an area in the upper centre, and also in the darker foreground areas. Though no major damages are visible there was perhaps an old hairline fracture running halfway across the panel from the left hand edge half way up the sky which is detectable now under ultra-violet light. The varnish is clear and glossy and the picture should not require further attention. Offered in a modern ebonised wood 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."