February 17, 2021 Online Catalog

90 - #ATTR. JOOS DE MOMPER (1564-1635) OIL PAINTING

This work, previously ascribed as a Jan Van Goyen, is being featured again after having recently been inspected and researched by I.F.A.R., N.Y.C., who have concluded the painting's style, materials and composition were consistent with a Dutch or Flemish landscape executed in the first quarter of the 17th century, and that it bore a greater affinity with the works of Joos de Momper. Upon being reminded of the artist "Momper" our consignor immediately recalled her late mother, Holocaust survivor Edith Alexander, having been told the same thing years before in response to her submission of the painting to Christie's. After a month-long search she was able to find the letter from Ian Kennedy, Senior Vice President, Old Master Paintings, dated December 19th, 1985 (when it was still listed as Christie, Manson & Woods International), in which he was seeking to include the painting in their April 1985 sale, letter attached. Concerned that someone was trying to cheat her out of her "Van Goyen" she declined the invitation. It wasn't until 2010 that Mrs. Alexander sought professional services to sell her artwork collection and was visited at her Rego Park home (66th Avenue, Queens, NY) by one of the Keno brothers from the Antique Road Show and his friend from Sotheby's. Her daughter is unsure as to which Keno brother but clearly recalls that he had allergies and requested that no perfumes be worn the day of his visit, a tough feat for Mrs. Alexander. While they were not interested in the majority of her artwork, which they referred to and was sold at Hudson Valley Auctioneers, they were very interested in featuring this piece (but not as a Van Goyen). Unfortunately, even their $30,000 auction estimate would not shake Mrs. Alexander of the feeling that someone might be trying to get her for her "Van Goyen" and declined the invitation as well. Mrs. Alexander contacted our agency, before she passed in 2016, to feature her remaining collection including the "Van Goyen", as it was inscribed. With the recent research and discoveries, the family felt an obligation to feature it to the world once again. Measures 10 5/8" (27cm) high x 18 1/2" (47cm) wide, Frame measures 20" (50.8cm) high x 29" (73.6cm). Weighs 9lbs., 3oz. CUSTOM CRATE INCLUDED. Provenance: From the estate of the late Dr. Ladislav (and his wife Edith) Alexander, a legendary hero in pre-World War II Hungary. After the war, Dr. Alexander took great personal risk when he made available a building on his property, 22 apartments and seven stores, as a refuge for displaced Jews. Edith cared and cooked for them, until they could get on their feet. But when the town was invaded by Communists, Dr. Alexander was arrested and imprisoned. In 1949, his brother was able to bribe an official to gain his unofficial release, and shortly after that he invested in three paintings-one of which was this one-to be used later, to sell or trade for provisions. Still pursued by authorities, Dr. Alexander sneaked the paintings into Italy, then fled the country with his family by train, making it safely to Venice. He waited in Italy for two years, while his paperwork allowing entrance into the U.S. was being processed. Finally, he was granted special permission to come to America by Sen. Jacob Javits of New York, in 1951. Then he was reunited with his belongings in New Jersey, where his sponsor lived.

Pre-sale estimate $30000 - 40000