ADRIAEN VAN SALM | A DUTCH MAN-OF-WAR WITH A FLOTILLA OF FISHING BOATS AND OTHER SHIPS: A PENSCHILDERIJ

The Viscount of Roda, Madrid, by circa 1930;

Thence descent to a private collection, Madrid;

From whom acquired by the present owner. 

Adriaen van Salm, a resident of Delfshaven, specialized in penschilderen, of which this is a highly representative and wonderfully preserved example that has not been seen in public in decades. The technique of penschilderen painting, or drawing in ink with a reed or quill pen on a gesso prepared panel or canvas, yielded a highly refined image. These monochromatic works, typically depicting shipping, whaling and the occasional winter scene, are highly detailed and have the appearance of a drawing or print. Images such as this were highly desired by collectors in the 17th and 18th centuries especially. Early practitioners of penschilderijen were Willem van de Velde (1611-1693) and Caspar van den Bos (born 1634), both of whom specialized in shipping and whaling scenes.