MATTHIAS WITHOOS | FOREST FLOOR STILL LIFE WITH VARIOUS FLOWERS, BUTTERFLIES, AND LIZARDS, ALL BEFORE A LANDSCAPE

Property from a European Private Collection
MATTHIAS WITHOOS
Amersfoort 1627 - 1703 Hoorn
FOREST FLOOR STILL LIFE WITH VARIOUS FLOWERS, BUTTERFLIES, AND LIZARDS, ALL BEFORE A LANDSCAPE

oil on canvas
33 by 27⅛ in.; 84 by 69 cm.

Condition Report:
The canvas is lined and is stable on its stretcher. The painting appears to be in good condition overall. The images reads well beneath a crisp varnish, and much of the delicate details and vibrant coloring are well preserved. Inspection under UV reveals a few small retouched repairs in the upper right corner in the background, and one in the lower right corner, all of which are faintly visible to the naked eye in raking light, but otherwise have been well applied. Some faint lines of retouching are visible near all edges, possibly to address old frame abrasion, as well as a few small scattered small spots of retouching, such as in the background just above the center butterfly. UV light also reveals some fine and thin strokes of retouching scattered in the upper left sky and in some of the shadows of the foliage near the center, mostly to address old craquelure. There are some scattered fine strokes and spots of strengthening to the shadows and darker details of the still life and the foliage, such as in the shadows around the leaf at lower center, and some of the darker green foliage fluoresces under UV. The painting can certainly hang in its present condition. Offered in a dark wood frame with two decoratively carved gilt liners.

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. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Provenance:
Private collection, New York;

Anonymous sale ('Property from a New York Estate'), New York, Christie's, 30 September 2005, lot 103;

Private collection, Europe;

Anonymous sale, Zurich, Koller, 29 March 2014, lot 3049.