Jan van Kessel

(All entries as Ruisdael:)
Count Samuel von Festetits, Vienna;
His sale, Vienna, Artaria, 11 April 1859, lot 138;
Dr Franz Sterne, Vienna;
His sale, Vienna, 12 January 1886, lot 837;
Possibly E. Miller, Aichholz (according to Frimmel, see Literature);
With G. Arnot, London, February 1922;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 10 May 1922, lot 39;
With Galerie Sanct Lucas, Vienna, circa 1929;
With P. Rosenberg, 1930;
Roth collection, Vienna, circa 1930;
With P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1931;
Dr Stenner, Vienna, 1932;
With D. Katz, Dieren, 1934;
With Arnot Gallery, London, 1937;
With Galerie Sanct Lucas, Vienna, circa 1940;
With X. Scheidwimmer, Munich and P. de Boer, Amsterdam (jointly);
With P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1974.

Vienna, Österreichischen Museum für Kunst und Industrie, Gemälde alter Meister aus dem Wiener Privatbesitze, August–September 1873, no. 31 (as Ruisdael);
Amsterdam, P. de Boer, Tableaux anciens en possession de la N.V. Kunsthandel P. de Boer, June–July 1931, no. 93 (as Ruisdael); 
Arnhem and The Hague, D. Katz, Oudhollandsche meesters uit de collectir Katz de Dieren, April 1934, no. 40 (as Ruisdael);
Amsterdam, P. de Boer, Kunsthandel P. de Boer: collection, 1974, no. 21 (as Ruisdael).

G.F. Waagen, Die vornehmsten Kunstdenkmäler in Wien, Vienna 1866–67, vol. I, p. 342 (as Ruisdael);
T. von Frimmel, Lexikon der Wiener Gemäldesammlungen, vol. I, Munich 1913, p. 382, cat. no. 138 (as Ruisdael);
C. Hofstede de Groot, Beschreibendes und kritisches Verzeichnis der Werke der hervorragendsten holländischen Maler des XVII. Jahrhunderts, vol. 4, Esslingen a.N. 1911, cat. no. 414 (as Ruisdael);
K.E. Simon, Jacob van Ruisdael, doctoral diss., Berlin 1927, p. 43 (as Ruisdael);
J. Rosenberg, Jacob van Ruisdael, Berlin 1928, cat. no. 408a (as Ruisdael);
H.F. Wijnman, 'Het leven der Ruysdaels', Oud Holland, vol. 49, 1932, p. 267, reproduced (as Ruisdael);
K.E. Simon, 'Jacob Isaackzoon van Ruisdael', in Thieme-Becker, vol. 29, 1935, p. 192 (as Kessel);
K.E. Simon, 'Doctor Jacob van Ruisdael', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. 67, 1935, p. 135 (as Kessel);
A.I. Davies, Jan van Kessel (1641–1680), Doornspijk 1992, p. 158, cat. no. 59, reproduced (as Kessel);
S. Slive, Jacob van Ruisdael. A complete catalogue of his paintings, drawings and etchings, New Haven and London 2001, p. 627, cat. no. dub38, reproduced (under 'Dubious and wrongly attributed paintings', as 'close to Kessel').

ENGRAVED
William Unger (1837–1932).

The canvas is relined. The paint surface is clean and presents a stable pattern of craquelure throughout the work. To the naked eye there are old scattered, discoloured retouchings. Furthermore there is a thick and uneven varnish which gives the surface a glossy appearance. Ultra violet inspection reveals further retouchings, throughout the sky. Overall the panting is in good and stable condition. The painting is offered in a carved gilt-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."