Lot 131: JAN VAN DE CAPPELLE | A winter landscape by a frozen pond, a figure dragging a pile of driftwood and a mother and child by the gate of a house

oil on canvas

40.2 by 45.2 cm.; 15 7/8  by 17 3/4  in.

oil on canvas

The canvas has been relined, the paint surface is clean, the varnish even and much of the original impasto remains intact. The painting is in overall good condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals sensitive retouching to several areas: some small scattered patches in the foreground, on the path behind the figures and along the lower edge of the boat; a larger area, approx. 3 by 2 cm., around the left-most tree, and smaller areas of retouching around the branches of the other trees; and an area of restoration, upper centre in the sky, of approx. 3 by 1 cm. The clouds, upper right, have been strengthened, and there is retouching along the upper and right margins. Offered in a plain stained dark wood frame in excellent condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

London, South Kensington Museum, before 1879;
London, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Dutch exhibition, 30 March – 10 May 1904, no. 173 (as Van de Capelle);
London, Royal Academy, Dutch pictures 1450-1750. Winter Exhibition, 22 November 1952 – 1 March 1953, no. 370 (as Van de Capelle).

C. Hofstede de Groot, A catalogue raisonné...etc., vol. VII, London 1923, p. 200, cat. no. 149 (as Johannes van de Cappelle);
M. Russell, Jan van de Cappelle 1624/6-1679, Leigh-on-Sea 1975, p. 84, cat. no. 149, reproduced fig. 89 (as attributed to an unknown follower);
M. Russell, 'A winter landscape after Jan van de Cappelle', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. CXXX, no. 1025, August 1988, p. 607, under note 8 (as Jan van Kessel).

William Fuller Maitland (1844–1932), Stansted Hall, Essex;
His deceased sale (et al.), London, Christie's, 10 May 1879, lot 97 (as Van Der Capella), for 200 Guineas, to Levy;
Albert Levy, London;
His deceased sale (et al.), London, Christie's, 3 May 1884, lot 57 (as J. Van Der Capella), for £189, to Denison;
Christopher Beckett Denison (1825–84), Upper Grosvenor Street, London;
By whose Executors sold, London, Christie's, 6 June 1885, lot 20 (as J. Van Der Capella), for 210 Guineas, to Martin Colnaghi (on behalf of Stephenson Clarke);
Colonel Robert Stephenson Clarke (1862–1948), Borde Hill, Haywards Heath, Sussex;
Thence by inheritance to Mrs Stephenson Clarke, Brook House, Haywards Heath, Sussex;
Thence by descent to Robert Clarke;
By whose Executors offered, London, Christie's, 11 December 1992, lot 97 (as Jan van Kessel), unsold;
Acquired after the sale by Lindsay Fine Art;
From whom acquired by the late owner.