Lot 111
  • 111

Abraham Willaerts

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Abraham Willaerts
  • Jesus preaching on the shores of the sea of Galilee
  • signed with initials lower right: A.W.f
  • oil on oak panel, with an unidentified red wax collector's seal on the reverse
  • 25 1/2 by 36 1/2 in.
  • 65 x 92.5 cm.

Provenance

With Dr Wilhelm August Luz, Berlin, 1958;
Private collection, Luxemburg;
With Bernheimer, London and New York, according to a label on the reverse (as Abraham Willaerts);
Anonymous sale, Cologne, Van Ham Kunstauktionen, 19–21 April 2007, lot 1882 (as Abraham Willaerts).

Condition

The panel is flat, cradled and comprised of three horizontal panels each 22 cm wide. The paint surface is clean. To the naked eye there is a small scratch of 8 cm to the left side of the picture, at the joint between the upper and middle panels join. UV inspection reveals scattered subtle retouching throughout the picture mainly to the sky and to the joints between panels, principally between the middle and upper panels. Offered in an ebonised carved 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."

Catalogue Note

At the time of the 2007 Cologne sale Dr Ulrike Middendorf was quoted as supporting the attribution of the present lot to Abraham Willaerts. Abraham was the son of Adam Willaerts, the successful marine painter and founding member of the Utrecht Guild of St Luke. After training with his father he later studied with Jan van Bijlert in Utrecht and with Simon Vouet in Paris. In 1624 he became a master of the Utrecht Guild of St Luke and from 1637 to 1644 he was in the entourage of Count John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen during his travels to Brazil, and in 1659 he visited Naples and Rome. However, despite his extensive and exotic travel, he was most profoundly influenced by his father, to the extent that it is very difficult to distinguish between their paintings. Both Adam and Abraham specialised in marines and shore scenes with imaginary rocks, elegant staffage and stylized waves.