Sailors unloading cargo from a sailing vessel, moored on a Mediterranean shore, with a rowing boat and a three-master beyond, at dawn

The present lot is probably a late work by the artist and particularly impressive for its free and well preserved brushwork in the sky. A similar depiction of morning light is evident in the picture of circa 1680 in the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (N. Schadee (ed.), Rotterdamse Meesters uit de Gouden Eeuw, 1994, p.236, no.60, ill.). The artist was already then praised for his 'morgenstond' (=dawn) pictures (see N. Schadee (ed.), op.cit., p.303). His interest was probably stimulated by a journey to Italy circa 1654/5, which is described by A. Houbraken, Groote Schouburgh, III, 1721, p.229.