Old Master Drawings

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is research and the old master drawings in our sale from lots 55 - 61 have been a pleasure to investigate and assess.

First purchased by the vendor in the 1970s at Christies these drawings have been out of the market for decades and will have added interest to collectors being of Dutch rather than Italian origin.

Lot 56 for example is attributed to Johannes Glauber (1646 Utrecht – c.1726 Schoonhoven), a Dutch Golden Age artist who travelled widely in Italy and produced works in the Italianate style for a growing mercantile class in Holland. The drawing has therefore always been of decorative rather than academic design and Dutch drawings from this period are inherently rare.

This section of drawings will I hope cover all price ranges and provide a fantastic entry point for anyone wishing to start collecting. Lot 58 ‘Back end of a horse’ is a wonderful drawing in reasonable condition and in an accessible price range. The transition from painting formal religious subjects to the everyday is very evident here and the composition confirms the new freedom of expression the independent Dutch were enjoying at that time. I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for buyers to own and enjoy original works from a seminal period of Dutch art.

55. ATTRIBUTED TO JAN GOEREE (1670-1731), EASTER TOURNAMENT pen and brown ink, 11 x 18cm £200 - £300

56. ATTRIBUTED TO JOHANNES GLAUBER (UTRECHT 1646 - CIRCA 1726 SCHOONHOVEN), ITALIANATE LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURES AND A RUINED CASTLE BESIDE A RIVER pen and brown ink, 19.5 x 27cm PROVENANCE: Purchased by the vendor at Christie’s Old Master Drawings sale, lot 93, November 26th 1974 £500 - £700

57. F J VAN DER ELST (DUTCH SCHOOL, 17TH CENTURY), PAIR OF DRAWINGS OF TREES pen and brown ink, each approximately 30 x 18cm (2) £800 - £1,200

58. DUTCH SCHOOL, 17TH CENTURY, BACK END OF A HORSE red chalk, 15 x 9.5cm £100 - £200

59. FOLLOWER OF PIETER BRUEGEL (C.1525-1569), ARMY ON THE MARCH unidentified collectors mark bottom left pen and brown ink, 19 x 30cm PROVENANCE: Purchased by the vendor at Christie’s Old Master Drawings sale. lot 65, March 11th, 1975 £150 - £250

60. ATTRIBUTED TO HERMAN VAN SWANEVELT (1603- 1655), WOODLAND PATH pen and ink drawing, 16 x 19cm PROVENANCE: Purchased by the vendor at Christie’s Old Master Drawings sale, lot 77 March 11th 1975 £200 - £300

61. ATTRIBUTED TO DIRK MAES (HAARLEM, 1659- 1717), HUNTING PARTY pencil and grey wash, 17.5 x 28cm. PROVENANCE: Purchased by the vendor at Christie’s Old Master Drawings sale, lot 81, March 11th 1975 £200 - £300

Our Pictures Specialist James Forster joined Halls as Head of the Picture Department and auctioneer in 2015. He has worked previously as the pictures valuer for Sothebys Valuation Department, Bond Street, London, from where he travelled extensively in the UK and Europe cataloguing diverse high value picture collections. This and other roles with international auctioneers, over the last two decades, have enabled him to develop a broad knowledge of both the British and European fine art markets. Immediately prior to working for Halls James was the principal valuer for ArtBanc, an American Art Advisory company based in London and New York. He has a BA Honours degree in Fine Art Valuation from the Southampton Institute. James has also worked independently as a fine art consultant specialising in valuation work and running exhibitions for contemporary artists.

jamesf@hallsgb.com