Lot 47: JAN DAVIDSZ. DE HEEM | Still life with a peeled lemon, oyster and a silver plate with grapes, plums and a façon-de-Venise Glass filled with white wine, all on a wooden table partially draped with a green cloth

oil on oak panel

36cm by 52cm

oil on oak panel

The following condition report is provided by Hamish Dewar who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Structural Condition The artist's panel is uncradled and is providing a secure and stable structural support. There is a small insert to the panel in the lower left corner as viewed from the reverse and what would appear to be a small repaired split in the lower right corner, just above the lower horizontal edge. There is a also a horizontal panel join or split approximately 2.5 cm below the upper edge as viewed from the reverse. Paint Surface The piant surface has an even varnish layer. Inspection under ultra-violet light shows small scattered retouchings, the most significant of which are; 1) retouchings down the left vertical framing edge, 2) a thin horizontal line of inpainting 2 cm below the upper horizontal framing edge covering the panel join or repaired split mentioned above, 3) a number of very small dots and minimal lines of inpainting on the still life which itself appears to be well preserved, and 4) small scattered retouchings which appear to cover panel grain in the background. There are other small retouchings. There maybe other retouchings beneath old opaque varnish layers which are not identifiable under ultra-violet light. Summary The painting would therefore appear to be in good and stable condition and no further work is required.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This painting is to be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the works of Jan Davidsz. de Heem by Fred G. Meijer.

Elsen Collection, Antwerp, circa 1900;
Thence by descent until sold New York, Sotheby's, 24 January 2008, lot 8, for $700,000;
With Richard Green, London, from whom acquired by the present owner.