Lot 102: Jan Abrahamsz. Beerstraaten (Amsterdam 1622-1666)

Jan Abrahamsz. Beerstraaten (Amsterdam 1622-1666)
A winter landscape with activities on the ice near Castle Buren, in Gelderland
signed and inscribed 'JABeerstraaten T Huys te Buere' (JAB linked, lower left)
oil on canvas
85.6 x 131.2 cm.

Aachen, Suermondt Museum, Ausstellung Flämischer und Holländischer Gemälde aus Aachener Privatbesitz, 19 June-31 July 1955, no. 5 as 'Anthonie Beerstraaten'.

Sir Walter Farqhar.
Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 16 December 1999, lot 30 (sold for £111.000).

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €20,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €20,001 and €800.000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €800.000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
Built in the 13th century by the Lords of Buren in Gelderland, 'Huys te Buren' was one of the largest castles in its time. It was well known in the 17th century as one of the residences of the House of Orange dynasty. Through the marriage between Prince William of Orange-Nassau and his first wife Anna van Egmont-Buren, the property came into the possession of the dynasty in 1551. Their wedding was celebrated with days of festivities and tournaments in the courtyards of the castle and the archbishop of Cologne visited the newlyweds in Buren accompanied by 600 knights to bless the royal couple. With the exile of the last 'stadhouder' William V in 1795 due to the French invasion, the castle became property of the republican government. It was sold during the reign of King Louis Napoleon to the town of Buren and gradually demolished between 1804 and 1883. Nowadays the Dutch monarch still holds the title 'Count of Buren'.

Jan Abrahamsz. Beerstaaten rendered the castle accurately. However, the view of the town is largely imaginary, as can be seen when compared to drawings by Roeland Roghman of 'Huys te Buren'. It has been suggested that the church might be of the neighbouring town of Buurmalsen.