Lot 48: THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

Jan van der Bent (Amsterdam 1650-1690) Peasants and livestock outside a rustic dwelling in the Roman campagna, beside a ruined arch and tower bears signature 'Berchem' (on the tree trunk lower centre) oil on canvas 52.8 x 85 cm. (20 3/4 x 33 1/2 in.) Elements of the present composition including the mother and child, the blacksmiths and the wooden trolley were repeated in a painting by Van der Bent, with Fisher, Lucerne, 12 December, 1991. PROVENANCE: The Rev. Lord Augustus FitzClarence, Vicar of Mapledurham Lady Augustus FitzClarence, his wife Miss Eva FitzClarence, her eldest daughter Maj. T.C.E.Goff, Miss FitzClarence's nephew thence by descent, until bequeathed to the present owner in 1973. The Rev. Lord Augustus FitzClarence was the illegitimate son of King William IV, and had the living at Mapledurham in Oxfordshire. In common with all the King's children he received a stipend of £10000 per annum, a courtesy which was later continued by Queen Victoria.