Willem van de Velde the Younger and Studio

Cecil Mariott Horner;
By whom sold, Amsterdam, Sotheby Mak van Waay B.V., 13 November 1923, lot 11;
There probably purchased by Gebr. Douwes, Amsterdam, until at least 1926;
Art Market, Hamburg, 1935;
Herbert Hart, Old Greenwich, Connecticut;
Private Collection, New York, 1979.

M.S. Robinson, The paintings of the Willem van de Veldes, London 1990, vol. II, p. 886-7, cat. no. 615.

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 painting has an old lining that is effective. The work has quite recently been cleaned and restored. Typically for 17th century works on canvas, there is a weakness to the paint layer, which in some cases is to be expected. There is more abrasion than is ideal in some areas of this painting, particularly in some of the boats and parts of the sky. There is retouching here and there throughout the picture, none of which is particularly concentrated. The condition is not unusually challenging. Given the fact that it is a work of good quality and already has retouching, it may not be a bad idea to continue retouching to further sharpen the details and clarify some areas of the sky. However, if the varnish were freshened, the work could also easily be hung as is.
"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."

Through the 1650s van de Velde's style was still developing, and it was during this early stage in his career that he was known to have collaborated with other artists on various pictures. This cloud covered marine landscape with vessels would appear to be such a work from that formative moment. Robinson dates the picture to circa 1658, and while supporting an attribution to van de Velde, also suggests that this may be a collaboration with Hendrik Dubbels (1621-1707) one of van de Velde's primary studio collaborators during the 1650s.¹ Many works from this early period are difficult to assess, and the extent of van de Velde's participation in relation to his studio remains a topic of debate. Indeed, the cumulus cloud filled sky and choppy waters do seem quite typical of his early style, while the two prominently placed single masted boats, in a regatta like arrangement, may have been executed by a different hand.

A possible second version with slight variations is recorded by Robinson as being sold by Bukowski's, Stockholm, on 30 October-1 November 1946, lot 148. Though described as being signed in monogram, it does appear to be weaker in execution than the present canvas.²

1. Robinson, op. cit., p. 886.
2. Ibid, p. 887.