Lot 42: ABRAHAM BISSCHOP

DORDRECHT 1660 - 1731 MIDDELBURG A GOOSE, A KINGSFISHER, AND OTHER BIRDS IN A LANDSCAPE oil on canvas 34 1/2 by 25 1/2 in.; 87.6 by 64.8 cm.

Sir Ralph-Carr Ellison, Hedgeley Hall, Powburn, Northumberland; By whom sold ("The Property of Sir Ralph Carr-Ellison), London, Christie's, 2 December 1977, lot 86 (where incorrectly paired with another Bisschop).

Bisschop was an extremely versatile artist, who excelled in a broad range of painting styles, such as portraits, large scale wall decoration and bird pieces. The present picture is a characteristic example of the latter category, in which the artist acknowledges the importance of Melchior d'Hondecoeter. Indeed, in comparing this picture with similar works by Hondecoeter, it is clear that Bisschop adopted a number of characteristics of his predecessor's mature style. This is especially striking in the choice of setting, and in the grouping of such species as the goose and kingfisher. We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer of the RKD, The Hague for supporting the attribution to Bisschop, based on photographs.