Peter Wtewael

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 25 May 1988, lot 35 (as attributed to Peter Uytewael);
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 11 December 1996, lot 112 (as attributed to Pieter Wtewael);
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's South Kensington, 6 July 2005, lot 2 (as attributed to Pieter Wtewael).

The canvas has a firm relining, the paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. There is evidence of wear throughout the painting. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals very sensitively-executed retouching at the top of the goatherd's chest and in the right side of his face, as well as throughout the landscape and goats, upper right, largely to reduce the appearance of craquelure. There are other scattered spot retouchings in the goatherd's hand, the white of his shirt, in the white fur, lower centre, and there is some strengthening in the darks of the dog's head and in the gourd. In overall moderate condition, without a need for further intervention.
"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."

The eldest son of the Utrecht Mannerist painter Joachim Wtewael, Peter worked only briefly as an artist, between 1624 and 1630. Joachim von Sandrart's record of his visit to the family in 1626 probably gives the reason for the curtailing of his artistic career, 'for they have fallen in love with the flax business and have made a fine fortune in it.'¹ Peter's small known œuvre consists of five signed paintings and around twenty attributed works. Compare, for example, the broad technique and treatment of the hat, bagpipe and the goatherd's shirt in his Shepherd with bagpipes, sold in these rooms, 6 July 1983, lot 71, along with its pendant Shepherdess with a lamb.² When the present painting was previously on the market, Dr Anne Lowenthal was thanked for endorsing its attribution to Peter Wtewael, on the basis of photographs.

1. J. von Sandrart, Teutsche Academie der Bau-, Bild- und Mahlerey-Künste, Nuremberg 1675, vol. 2, Book 3, p. 289.
2. See A. W. Lowenthal, Joachim Wtewael and Dutch Mannerism, Groningen 1986, pp. 178–79, cat. nos D-12 and D-13, reproduced in colour plates XXVI and XXVII.