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ADRIAEN VAN OSTADE (1610-1685)
The Anglers
etching, circa 1647-53, on laid paper, without watermark, a very fine impression of the rare third/ fourth state (of seven), printing with a light plate tone, with traces of burr on the bridge and elsewhere and fine wiping marks, with narrow margins, in very good condition. References: Bartsch, Hollstein, Godefroy 26, plate 113 x 166 mm., sheet 116 x 169 mm.
Provenance:
Richard Fisher (1809-1890), Hill Top, Midhurst, England (Lugt 931 & 2204); his sale, Sothebys, London, 23 May 1892, lot 583 ( 2,12; to Gutekunst).
With H.G. Gutekunst, Stuttgart.
Dr. Eduard Trautscholdt (1893-1976) Leipzig, Dsseldorf (director at C.G. Boerner since 1947); presumably acquired from the above; then by descent.
With C.G Boerner, New York; sold on behalf of the descendents of the above.
Private American Collection; acquired from the above.
This very fine rare early example is before the later Picart edition, before the shadows on the plate were accentuated with fine close lines. The composition was essentially complete in the earliest states; in the third state the sky was covered with very fine, spaced horizontal lines, and the contours of the fisherman’s sleeve as well as the horizontal beam over the first pair of pilings on the left were completed.
This is considered one of Van Ostade’s only landscape etchings. Along with Van Ostade’s very few landscape paintings, is suggests the influence of Rembrandt.
