Beschreibung:

DescriptionLieve Pietersz. VerschuierRotterdam circa 1630 - 1686A Dutch man-of-war, a wijdschip and other vessels near a jetty
signed on a piece of driftwood lower centre: L. Verschuieroil on canvasunframed: 59 x 79.5 cm.; 23¼ x 31¼ in.framed: 84.2 x 104.8 cm.; 33⅛ x 41¼ in.Condition reportThe following condition report is provided by Henry Gentle who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Lieve Verschuier - A Dutch man-of-war, a wijdschip and other vessels near a jetty, oil on canvas, in an ebonized frame, in good repair. The painting is lined and there is good adhesion between the original canvas and the lining fabric. The paint layer is stable and secure. Inspection under U-V lighting shows a scattering of minor restored paint losses across the sky, in particular, and down old vertical stretcher marks to the left and right edges. The foreground is well preserved with slightly compromised delicate glazing through the waves and the shadows of the boats leading to a moderate loss of form. The painting is in a good preserved state with fine details and paint texture intact. Very slight strengthening to some of the rigging can be detected. The tonal and chromatic nuances are well preserved and no advantage would be gained from removing the varnish. The restoration is competently and sensitively applied. The painting presents well.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenancePrivate collection, The Netherlands;
Their sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby’s, 22 November 1989, lot 24, for Dfl. 190,000;
Private collection;
With Noortman, Maastricht/London, by 1993;
With Rob Kattenburg, Breukelen, by 1998;
From whom acquired by the present owner.ExhibitedMaastricht/London, Noortman, Dutch and Flemish Old Master Paintings, 1993, no. 33, reproduced.Catalogue noteThe 17th-century painter Lieve Verschuier is known for his atmospheric marines and unusual lighting effects. His most distinctive compositions depict dramatic scenes at sea, emphasising the ambient conditions. Arnold Houbraken suggested that a trip to Italy in 1655 may have inspired him to paint these effects.1 In this painting he combines glowing suffused light with a clouded sky, creating an interesting contrast between the luminous warm light of the setting sun in the late afternoon and the dark stormy clouds in the upper half of the composition.
Active in Rotterdam, Verschuier painted many different maritime subjects. In this painting the artist’s interest in naval activities is in evidence. In the lower left corner two smaller vessels are docking at a jetty; perhaps they are fishermen unloading their catch. A wijdschip in the centre of the painting is stacked with trade goods. Multiple merchants on board the ship are recognisable by their fine clothes. An impressive man-of-war with fluttering banners is in full sail behind the wijdschip. The ship is lit from behind, highlighting its central position in the composition, as well as its power at sea.
1 A. Houbraken, De Groote Schouburgh..., vol. III, Amsterdam 1721, p. 229.