- 164
Nicolaes Maes
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description
- Nicolaes Maes
- Portrait of a child in a landscape, with a dog and a goldfinch
- signed in monogram lower left: NM
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Possibly anonymous sale, Amsterdam, 29 October 1838, lot 102;
Possibly anonymous sale, Amsterdam, 15 December 1908, lot 255;
Private collection, Belgium;
From whence sold, Berlin, Lepke, 25 April 1911, lot 53, for 800 German Marks;
Probably with Steinmeyer and Sons, Paris, May 1911;
Probably Marczell von Nemes (1866-1930), Budapest;
Anonymous sale, Vienna, Dorotheum, 3 December 1974, lot 88 (as 'Der Kleine Nimrod').
Possibly anonymous sale, Amsterdam, 15 December 1908, lot 255;
Private collection, Belgium;
From whence sold, Berlin, Lepke, 25 April 1911, lot 53, for 800 German Marks;
Probably with Steinmeyer and Sons, Paris, May 1911;
Probably Marczell von Nemes (1866-1930), Budapest;
Anonymous sale, Vienna, Dorotheum, 3 December 1974, lot 88 (as 'Der Kleine Nimrod').
Literature
C. Hofstede de Groot, A catalogue raisonné..., vol. VI, London 1916, probably both p. 556, cat. no. 317, and p. 562, cat. no. 357.
Condition
In overall good condition. The canvas is lined, the paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. There are a couple of short, superficial scratches in the upper right corner, the longer of which measures no more than 5 cm. There is retouching to a small, vertical line of loss to the right of the boy's head, less than 2 cm. long, which is visible to the naked eye. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals an opaque varnish beneath which it is possible to discern a campaign of restoration which comprises retouching throughout the boy's flesh tones and costume, and scattered in the background. These have been sensitively executed and do not affect the overall appearance of the painting. Offered in a plain, stained, Dutch-style wood frame in very 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."
"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
Maes repeated this pose and composition in a number of portraits of children. That which comes closest to the present work in costume, pose and detail is the signed painting sold London, Christie's, 16 April 1999, lot 61, which includes a quiver of arrows on the ground. The descriptions of two entries in Hofstede de Groot appear to match the present work and most probably refer to the same picture.