AMSTERDAM.- The sale of Old Master Paintings at Sotheby’s Amsterdam on Tuesday 8 May 2007 offers a variety of landscapes, still-lifes, portraits, biblical and genre scenes. Of special interest are a group of paintings from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, a recently discovered masterpiece by Jan Lievens and works by Bakhuizen, De Momper and Van Leen.

Of special interest is a group of paintings from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Scott Schaeffer, curator of paintings at the Museum, explains: “Not unlike many American Museums, the J. Paul Getty Museum has availed itself of the process referred to as ‘de-accessioning’ works of art. Throughout the brief history of the collection, works have been de-accessioned through various means. The Getty Museum was always intended to encourage an intimate relationship between the Museum’s collection and visitors. For this reason the collection will remain select and quite small in scale. The Amsterdam Old Master Paintings sale will feature some paintings to fulfil this mission and to make further funds available to purchase singular works of art better suited to the collection as it has changed over the years”. The works for the J.P. Getty Museum include an attractive View of Rhenen by Salomon van Ruysdael (Naarden 1600-1670 Haarlem), an oil on canvas of 72.4 by 107,3 cm, signed and dated 1660 (€60.000-80.000). Also Anthonie Jansz van der Croos (Alkmaar 1606-1663 The Hague) is represented with an extensive Landscape with a view of Rhenen, an oil on canvas of 116. by 195.6 cm, signed and dated 1656 (€30.000-40.000). Also included from this collection a by Govaert Flinck (Gentleman, €30.000-40.000), Nicolaes Maes (Gentleman in Black, €30.000-40.000).