- 245
Jacob Cats
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Jacob Cats
- The Month of December: A Winter landscape with skaters and sledges on a frozen river by a village, possibly the village of Nieuwland, near Leerdam
- Pen and brown ink and grey wash over black chalk, within brown ink framing lines;
signed and dated, verso: J: Cats inv et fec / 1795
Provenance
Pieter Langerhuizen,
his sale, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller, 29 April 1919, lot 145;
sale, Amsterdam, Mak van Waay, 19 January 1965, lot 71;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 12 November 1990, lot 197
his sale, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller, 29 April 1919, lot 145;
sale, Amsterdam, Mak van Waay, 19 January 1965, lot 71;
sale, Amsterdam, Christie's, 12 November 1990, lot 197
Condition
Hinge mounted. The sheet has very slightly yellowed and there is a thin band of discoloration to the four edges, most probably created by a mount. There is some very light, scattered foxing in certain areas, however the sheet is in otherwise good condition throughout, with the medium strong and vibrant. Sold in a painted and gilded frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Born in Altona, near Hamburg, at a young age Cats was brought by his parents to live in Amsterdam. In early 1759, he found employment in the wall-decoration workshop of a certain Jan Hendrik Troost van Groenendoelen, and in May 1762 he set up his own business, producing, with considerable success, the painted wall-hangings that were so popular in Amsterdam interiors of the period. Eventually, however, this fashion began to decline, and Cats then turned his hand to the production of highly finished landscape drawings and watercolours such as this, an art in which he became the leading figure in late-18th century Holland.
Like many of his contemporaries, Cats made sets of finished drawings and watercolours, with unifying themes such as the seasons or the months. This drawing probably originally formed part of such a series, within which the winter scenes were often the most animated and appealing.