- 743
Studio of Melchior de Hondecoeter
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Melchior de Hondecoeter
- Cockerels, duck, chickens and a flying pigeon in a landscape, a lake beyond
- bears signature centre, on the fence: m d : hondekoeter
- oil on canvas, in a carved and gilt wood frame
- 44in by 51½in
Provenance
Philip Riddell, 1975;
With the Leger Galleries, London, by 1975;
Acquired from the above after 1980.
With the Leger Galleries, London, by 1975;
Acquired from the above after 1980.
Exhibited
London, The Leger Galleries, Exhibition of Old Master Paintings, April 1976, cat. no. 11.
Literature
Apollo Magazine, September 1975.
Condition
The canvas has an old relining. The paint surface has been slightly pressed through the relining, but is in good overall condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows an uneven varnish, and very few small scattered retouchings. There is also a repair to a circa 6 cm. horizontal tear lower left corner.
Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame, with some minor knocks, but structurally sound.
"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
A number of versions of this composition, of which there is no known original, strongly suggest the existence of a studio attached to Hondecoeter, although little is known about the artist's workshop or its practice. The present painting may be considered the best of the known replicas of the design, and its closeness to Hondecoeter's own style indicates that it was likely to have been executed under the direct supervision of the master. Other versions are recorded as formerly in the collection of the Earls of Dunraven, Adare Manor, County Limerick, and in the collection of J.F. Minken, London in 1958. Another example of the composition, with the same birds but with considerable variations in the landscape background, was in the collection of the Earls of Aylesford at Packington Hall, Warwickshire and though unsigned, is considered autograph.