Adriaen Jansz van Ostade

The Spectacle Seller

1646

Deuchar, David (after van Ostade). The Spectacle Seller. 1800. Etching on light cream laid paper, 3 3/4 x 3 inches (93 x 75 mm), trimmed at the platemark. Light skinning and some sur...

Etching on cream laid paper laid down to a wove paper support, 4 x 2 5/8 inches (101 x 67 mm) (sheet). In good condition with scattered light areas of discoloration. Printed early 19...

The Hunchbacked Fiddler (3rd State), 1654 Etching 266 x 113 mm.; 6 1/2 x 4 7/16 inches Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in a Crowned Shield References: Godefroy 44 III/VI Hollstein 44 III/VI Pelletier, Adrian van Ostade...

Jacob Ochtervelt (Workshop) The Grape Seller oil on canvas unframed: 80.7 x 61 cm.; 31 ¾ x 24 in. framed: 109.5 x 89 cm.; 43 1/8 x 35 in. Essay: This captivating piece, originating from the studio of the revered Dutch artist Jacob Ochtervelt, mirrors the composition of a signed and dated 1669 canvas by Ochtervelt that is presently housed in the Hermitage museum. Its subject, "The Grape Seller" immerses us in a typical 17th-century interior, replete with characters from various strata of society. At the center, a fruit vendor is depicted bending over to weigh grapes for the buyer. A child hands some of the grapes to her mother to taste, their attentive maid standing by. The backdrop showcases typical Ochtervelt details: a hint of the city visible through the doorway, light filtering in through an overhead window, and a playful dog at their side. The exquisite quality of the piece is evident in the minutiae, such as the intricate detailing of the mother's earring, which in reality spans only a few millimeters yet boasts impressive attention to detail. Initially, Sotheby's considered this work to be an autograph piece by Ochtervelt. But due to some uncertainty, it was auctioned as Workshop of Jacob Ochtervelt. On the other hand, the esteemed Cabinet Turquin in Paris leans toward attributing the piece directly to Jacob Ochtervelt himself. The painting is framed in an authentic period frame, which has been delicately restored by Stockholm's Förgyllning och Bildhuggeri. The frame retains its age-old patina and, while in used condition, has minor imperfections adding to its charm. Another interesting thing worth to mention is the painting's provenance. It was once owned by the 1st Viscount Rothermere (1868-1940), the founder of the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror...