- 36
Willem van de Velde the Elder
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Willem van de Velde the Elder
- Portrait of an English ship, viewed from the port beam
- Graphite and grey wash on two joined sheets of paper
- 16 ¼ins. by 29ins; 390mm by 729mm
In an album of drawings primarily by William van de Velde the Elder and the Younger
Condition
Laid down on paper. The work is made up of two joined sheets which meet vertically at the centre of the composition. There are five additional old fold lines running vertically down the width of the sheet. There are some light brown stains to the sheet and light surface dirt throughout. There is a small hole to the upper right corner and a loss to the lower left corner. The medium is fresh throughout.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
When the late Michael Robinson first studied the Van de Velde drawings in the Northumberland Collection in around 1960, he noted that the ship depicted in this grand, rather finished portrait could be the Covertine, as captured by the Dutch during the Four Days' Battle of 1-4/11-14 June 1666. Seeing the drawing again in 1990 he suggested, however, that it might in fact show the Leopard, one of a group of 54-gun fourth-rate ships built during the Commonwealth.1 The Leopard was built in 1659, and was still in service when the Van de Veldes arrived in England in 1672-73, remaining active until around 1685.
1. For more information, see F. Fox, Great Ships, The Battlefleet of King Charles II, London 1980, p. 40, pl. 33.