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Lot Essay
We are grateful to Dr Hans-Ulrich Beck for confirming the attribution on the basis of a transparency (private correspondence, 17 May 2005). He points out that this is almost certainly the pendant to Ruins of the Abbey of Egmond at Buurkerk, signed and dated 1659 (private collection, Milan; see H.-U. Beck, Künstler um Jan van Goyen, Doornspijk, 1991, p. 94, no. 215, fig. A67).
Castle Egmond in Holland is also known as 'Slot op den Hoef'. First built in 1203 by Willem van Egmond, the stone, circular castle was a stronghold until the end of the 15th century, serving as a place of refuge in times of peril. Around 1400 a canal was dug to Alkmaar making the castle reachable by boat. A harbour was also constructed at the north eastern side of the castle. In the 15th century, Jan III, the first Count of Egmond and counsellor of Maria of Burgundy, enlarged, renovated and embellished the castle; adding an imposing gatehouse with four cornertowers to the outer ward. However, in 1573 the castle was set on fire by the troops of Diderick Sonoy on orders of William of Orange to prevent the Spanish from capturing this strategic site. From then on the castle remained a ruin, attracting such artists as Croos, Salomon van Ruysdael (1600/3-1670) and Jacob van Ruisdael (1628/9-1682) to depict its Romanatic ruins. In 1798 what remained of the castle was sold and demolished with the exception of the 'Rentmeester' tower, which formed part of the west wall of the outer ward. In 1832 however, this tower was also torn down, only fragments now remain, after which the foundations of Castle Egmond slowly disappeared under shifting sands.
Castle Egmond in Holland is also known as 'Slot op den Hoef'. First built in 1203 by Willem van Egmond, the stone, circular castle was a stronghold until the end of the 15th century, serving as a place of refuge in times of peril. Around 1400 a canal was dug to Alkmaar making the castle reachable by boat. A harbour was also constructed at the north eastern side of the castle. In the 15th century, Jan III, the first Count of Egmond and counsellor of Maria of Burgundy, enlarged, renovated and embellished the castle; adding an imposing gatehouse with four cornertowers to the outer ward. However, in 1573 the castle was set on fire by the troops of Diderick Sonoy on orders of William of Orange to prevent the Spanish from capturing this strategic site. From then on the castle remained a ruin, attracting such artists as Croos, Salomon van Ruysdael (1600/3-1670) and Jacob van Ruisdael (1628/9-1682) to depict its Romanatic ruins. In 1798 what remained of the castle was sold and demolished with the exception of the 'Rentmeester' tower, which formed part of the west wall of the outer ward. In 1832 however, this tower was also torn down, only fragments now remain, after which the foundations of Castle Egmond slowly disappeared under shifting sands.