Circle of Jan Both (Dutch, 1610-1652)

Circle of Jan Both (Dutch, 1610-1652)
A peasant family with a donkey in an extensive landscape, a village beyond
oil on oak panel
58 x 77cm, in an 18th century carved frame

Provenance: Acquired by the vendor's late husband at Sotheby's, London, in the 1950s;
from a Kensington town house.
Sold for £3,000

Condition report:
Oil on panel formed from four boards in vertical alignment. There are slight splits in the panel at the left hand side, following two of the panel joins, which has caused scattered losses. There are a few small losses and abrasion around the edge of the painting caused by framing. Small areas of retouching over a large loss in the upper right corner. Overall the paint layer is in a good condition. The underdrawing of the composition is visible around the leaves of the trees. The varnish is slightly yellowed but even and semi-matte. There is a light layer of surface dust. There are losses to the gilding on the frame. Red wax seal to the reverse 'JB' in a shield.