Abraham van Dijck

The Earl of Derby, Knowsley Hall, Lancashire, by 1728 (as Rembrandt);
Thence by descent to Edward John Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby, M.C. (1918–94);
His sale, London, Christie's, 8 October 1954, lot 123 (as Jan Lievens) to Asschen for 50 guineas;
With Alfred Brod Gallery, London, 1957;
Private collection, United States;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 29 January 2009, lot 124.

London, Alfred Brod Gallery, Pictures for the Collector, February – March 1957, no. 13.

J. Smith, A Catalogue Raisonné..., vol. IX, London 1836, p. 68, cat. no. 159 (as Rembrandt);
G. Scharf, A Descriptive and Historical Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures at Knowsley Hall, London 1875, pp. 7, 280, cat. no. 13 (as Lievens);
C. Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné..., vol. VI, London 1916, p. 461, footnote 56 (as School of Rembrandt);
W. Sumowski, Gemälde der Rembrandt-Schüler, Landau/Pfalz 1983, vol. I, p. 673, cat. no. 380, reproduced p. 701 (as Lievens).

The canvas has been relined, the paint surface is stable, and the varnish is even and only slightly discoloured. There are no major damages visible to the naked eye. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a campaign of retouchings and strengthenings throughout the picture, most notably in the saint's left shoulder and cloak, around his left hand and in the lower right corner of the canvas - these are mainly to reduce the effect of craquelure in these areas. There are some other minor scattered strengthenings in the saint's beard and around his nose. In overall 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."

Abraham van Dijck’s most successful compositions are his depictions of old men and women, usually in contemplation or prayer.  Though there is no documentary evidence, it is thought that he may have studied with Rembrandt in Amsterdam and this painting, with its use of thick impasto and loose, painterly brushwork, would seem to reflect a direct knowledge of that master’s late painting style.

This work was engraved in 1728 by Hamlet Winstanley, as after a work by Rembrandt, and was one of a series of plates based on paintings in the collection of the Earl of Derby which were published as 'The Knowsley Gallery'.