Lot 168: ADRIAEN VAN SALM

A DUTCH MAN-OF-WAR FIRING A SALUTE, WITH A FLOTILLA OF FISHING BOATS AND OTHER SHIPPING BEYOND: A .PENSCHILDERIJ.
signed lower right: A.V.SALM

14 1/4 by 18 3/4 in.; 36.2 by 47.7 cm.

pen, ink and oil on panel

Robert C. Graham;
Thence by descent to Edith A. Graham, by 1995;
By whom sold, New York, Christie's, May 18, 1995, lot 26;
With The Weiss Gallery, London;
From whom acquired by the present collector.

Adriaen van der Salm was a resident of Delfshaven who specialized in penschilderen, of which this is a highly representative and wonderfully preserved example. The technique of penschilderen painting: drawing in ink with a reed or quill pen on a gesso prepared panel or canvas, yielded a highly refined image. These monochromatic works, typically depicting shipping, whaling and the occasional winter scene, are highly detailed and have the appearance of a drawing or print. Images such as this were amongst the finest which were highly desired by collectors in the 17th and 18th centuries especially. Early practictioners of penschilderen were Willem van de Velde (1611-1693) and Caspar van den Bos (born 1634), both of whom specialized in shipping and whaling scenes.