Astonishing Discovery—Sole Surviving Landscape Oil Painting by Van Dyck

The artistic and historic value of the work increased after restorers discovered the painter’s only preserved landscape in oil on the back of the canvas. “We are delighted that this powerful work by one of the greatest artists of the Northern Baroque is returning to Christie’s for sale after over 20 years with the added significance and excitement,” said Clementine Sinclair, Christie’s Head of London Old Master Paintings.

The first large-scale depiction of a horse without a rider entitled “Andalusian Horse” was painted in preparation for the artist’s oldest preserved equestrian portrait of Emperor Charles V. This striking depiction of a white stallion is a thrilling demonstration of the young Anthony van Dyck’s virtuosic use of paint and bravura technique, which can also be said of the landscape study on the unprimed reverse of the canvas. Restorers uncovered this hidden gem during the sale of the painting in 2000. 

When the painting was being professionally restored, the newer canvas was removed, uncovering its original reverse side that contained van Dyck’s landscape study. On the left, it depicts a steep tree-covered bank that dips down to a lake where a dog can be seen lapping at the water. Although it’s known that van Dyck painted other landscapes, this oil painting is his sole work in this genre to have survived.

Prior to the auction, “Andalusian Horse” will be exhibited in Christie’s Paris from November 14th to 21st. Afterwards, it will be on view in London from November 29th to December 3rd, which is the day of the sale.