Hendrick Jacobsz. Dubbels

With M. Knoedler & Co., New York, by 1962, inv. no. A 4822 (as Jan van de Cappelle);
With Duits Ltd., London (according to a label on the reverse, "From an American Private Collection");
Private collection, The Netherlands;
With H.M. Cramer, The Hague, from 1980 (as Jan van de Cappelle);
Acquired from the above in 1983 by the late husband of the present owner .

Delft, Stedelijk Museum Het Prinsenhof, 35e oude kunst- en antiekbeurs der Vereeniging van Handelaren in Oude Kunst in Nederland 14 October - 2 November 1983, exhibited by Hans Cramer (as Jan van de Cappelle).

H.M. Cramer, Cramer: Paintings by Old Masters, catalogue XXII, 1980, p. 138, cat. no. 86, reproduced (as Jan van de Cappelle).

The work is less dark in the lower part than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel is cradled and appears very stable. The paint surafce is in excellent condition, with the energetic small brushtrokes clearly discernible. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals spot retouchings in the sky and the strengthening of shadows on the figures tumbling in the foreground, to the flag lying across the masts, and to the back part of the hintermost boat to the left. There are a few tiny spots of retouching in the lower right corner and to a horizontal cloud to the right of the boat masts. This lot is sold in a gilded and moulded decorative frame with some minor surface knocks, which can easily be repaired with a small brush.
"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."

This painting has hitherto been sold, exhibited and published as a painting by Jan van de Cappelle, of whom it was seen as an early work, painted under the influence of Simon de Vlieger.  However, as Ulrike Middendorff pointed out in an email of 2007, it is an early work by Hendrik Dubbels, painted while he was apprenticed to De Vlieger.  Dr Jan Kelch has kindly confirmed this view (also by email), dating it to 1650-3 when Dubbels was in De Vlieger's studio in Weesp.