The Monogrammist PW

This interior is entirely characteristic of the small number of works signed by the so-called Monogrammist PW. The architecture bears a strong resemblance to that found in several of his paintings, such as the canvas of larger dimensions, executed in collaboration with Willem Duyster, sold Paris, Sotheby's, 27 June 2013, lot 17.¹

The precise identity of the Monogrammist is still uncertain, though he is most probably one and the same as the Amsterdam painter Pieter Willemsz. van der Stock (circa 1593– after 1650), who appears to have preferred to sign with the initials of his forenames. An inventory of the artist's possessions drawn up following bankruptcy in 1651, mentions a number of architectural perspectives – particularly church interiors – along with some smaller landscapes and several unfinished works. His name also appears as the author of 'perspectives' in Amsterdam inventories of 1636 and 1665, the former referring to him as 'Metselaer' – brick-layer or stonemason.²

1. Sold for €205,500 (with premium). See also, for example, the paintings sold London, Christie's, 10 December 1993, lot 213; and New York, Christie's, 12 January 1996, lot 4.
2. A. Bredius, Künstler-Inventare: Urkunden zur Geschichte der holländischen Kunst des XVIten, XVIIten und XVIIIten Jahrhunderts, The Hague 1915–21, pp. 1222 and 1301.