JAN VAN GOYEN (Leiden 1596-1656 The Hague)

This animated and lively market scene is a prime example of Van Goyen's mature drawing style. Shown here is a small market with seated vendors selling what appears to be fruit or vegetables. The composition is enlivened by a scavenging dog, a man urinating against one of the market stalls at left and a man on horseback leaving the scene to the right. The drawing was executed in 1653 which was a particularly productive year for the artist; circa 250 drawings from that year have survived. Two similar townscapes, from the same year, of similar size which also still retained the wide blank margins, were sold at Christie's, London, 3 July 2018, lots 39 and 40.