Abraham Bloemaert

Harry G. Sperling, New York, 1965-1968;
By whose estate sold ("Property from the Residuary Estate of Harry G. Sperling Sold for the Benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art"), New York, Sotheby's, 16 June 1977, lot 193; 
There purchased by the family of present owner.

M.G. Roethlisberger, Abraham Bloemaert and His Sons, Doornspijk 1993, vol. I, p. 336, cat. no. 538, figure 722 (where described as signed: ABloemart 16-).

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. At present this painting is completely un-retouched. The panel is not reinforced, it is flat and the paint layer is stable. There is slight thinness to the paint layer around the inside edge of the sitter's cap, in the shadows of the beard and in a couple of spots in the background on the left. There are two spots of paint loss either side of the sitter's face and there is a thin dent running diagonally through the sitter's left eye and down into his right cheek. These can easily be attended to if required. The date is slightly thin yet is still legible on the left side. The painting probably has a slight dirt layer which is not unattractive yet could be removed if required.
"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."