Hubertus van Hove (Dutch, 1814-1865), "Unloading the Catch"- 1834, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right of center. Figural landscape painting depicting men unloading the days catch onto the dock near windmill at dusk, at left of composition man rides horse away from center on a dirt path, at center foreground stands a tall wooden windmill with shingled roof, at its base a woman approaching group of men at right on the dock working near boats, at right a glimpse of river with ships in distance. Christie's label to verso of frame. Framed approximately 42.2" x 51". Unframed approximately 26.25" x 33.5". Provenance: Acquired at Christie's Amsterdam, sale #2849 "Old Masters and 19th Century Art", November 9, 2010, Lot 102.

Examined under black light. Painting has been relined, likely in 19th century. Oxidation to canvas and stretcher commensurate with age. Craquelure to paint surface commensurate with age. Inpainting evident to top of left edge, and center and right of top edge in repair of frame rubbing. Two older patches to backside of canvas with coordinating in painting to front surface - left side of windmill roof, and in sky to left of lower windmill blade. 1.5" long v shaped field of in painting to top right corner, likely in repair of a tear but obscured to back of canvas by tightening wedge and stretcher. 0.75" round field of in painting in sky above sailboat at right. Other scattered and minor areas of inpainting. Repairs and restorations are neither obvious nor distracting. Left edge of work with approximately 3mm wide line of gilt paint overlaying paint surface, a result of retouching the gilt frame - this could be easily corrected by a professional restorer. Paint layer is stable. No other apparent signs of rips, tears, abrasions, lifting, losses, or punctures.