painting (oil): ["Hawking Party"]

Three men and a woman and their attendants are out hawking in the countryside. In the centre, the woman, who is mounted side-saddle on her horse, holds a hawk on her outstretched arm. The man on the horse beside her with red feathers in his cap holds out his arm towards her, to perhaps transfer the bird. Two other men are to his left, one of whom is re-mounting his horse. Behind them is a hill with trees and a large tower. At the far left of the composition are two men on foot with dogs who carry game bags. One of the men also holds a long pole. On the far right, at the head of the party is a man on foot who carries a frame on which seven hawks are perched. Behind him, a man is driving some cattle across a stretch of water. Virag 19/12/2004, NCM 1890-1194 was attributed to Peter van Bloeman when it entered the collection and then later re-ascribed to "Flemish School". There is no indication at what date the attribution to Peter van Bloeman was rejected, but judging from notes in the register and on the accession card, it pre-dated Cassidy c.1984-5. In fact when the register was checked it was discovered that G.H. Wallis (the serving curator when the Lammin bequest entered the collection) had written "COPY" across the entry for NCM 1890-1194. The addition was initialled "GHW". It is possible, therefore, that NCM 1890-1194 is a copy of a work either by Peter van Bloeman or another artist who painted hawking scenes, such as perhaps Philip Wouwermans. Comparisons have yet to be made, but the author of NCM 1890-1194 is in any case likely to be fairly minor. On the front: There is an area of overcleaning at lower right where possibly a second standing figure may have been erased. This possibility is not noted in the 1979 conservation report, however (See below) and the area of inconsistency at lower right could be a result of the 1979 restoration. There is some cracking, especially on the left side in the sky area. There are marks down the left edge which are consistent with damage caused by framing. On the reverse: The canvas has been relined, but is mildewed. The canvas is loose in its frame. 1. NCM accession number(s) 2. Label (old typeface): "30" 3. Large yellow modernish label, printed and stuck onto stretcher: "This painting is on loan from Nottingham Castle Museum…etc." NCM 1890-1194 was restored in 1979 by Dian Hall, when surface dirt, darkened varnish and overpainting were removed. The painting was re-varnished and re-touched (titanium white was used). UV examination revealed a small three-cornered damage in the area of the trees and sky in the centre of the painting. Removal of varnish revealed small damages in the building on the right hand side and also pentimenti in the forelegs of two of the horses, suggesting that the positions were altered. Virag 19/12/2004, Collection of Mr Henry Lammin