A View at Bloemendaal with a Farm and Bleaching Fields near the Dunes north of Het Kopje, looking east with the Noorderspaarne and the IJ beyond at the left, the spire of the Saint Bavo Church at Haarlem at the right

This may be compared to a number of similar panoramic landscapes drawn along the coast of Holland. A large panorama of Noordwijk was sold in these Rooms on 14 November 1988, lot 101, and another view at Bloemendaal on 14 November 1994, lot 99, both illustrated. A very similar drawing is in the Albertina, Vienna, M. Bisanz-Prakken, Die Landschaft im Jahrhundert Rembrandts, Niederländische Zeichnungen des 17. Jahrhunderts aus der Graphischen Sammlung Albertina, exhib. catalogue, Vienna, 1993, pp. 120-1, no. 66. Another panoramic view with dunes and a view at Zandvoort are in the Teyler Museum, Haarlem, M.C. Plomp, The Dutch drawings in the Teyler Museum, Haarlem Ghent Doornspijk, 1997, II, nos. 529-30, both illustrated. Most of these seem to have been executed in circa 1630-40.
Mr. Wim Post has kindly suggested the topographical identification, pointing out that the farm in the foreground is the Hofstede Cloeckendael between the Bergweg and the Brederodelaan. He compares the view to that of Jan van der Meer in the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, H.P. Baard, Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, 1969, no. 207.
The dunes near Haarlem were a favourite subject for many artists seeking variation in the flat Dutch landscape, at the same time providing a high viewpoint for panoramic views like those done by Jacob van Ruisdael. In the 18th Century this tradition continued with a number of artists including Cornelis van Noorde, whose view of Haarlem was sold in these Rooms, 13 November 1995, lot 222.
Dr. Hans-Ulrich Beck has kindly confirmed the provenance, pointing out the year of acquisition.