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This painting, which Dr. Ursula Härting has dated to circa 1615 on the basis of its careful craftsmanship and colorful appearance (loc. cit.), bears the panel maker's mark of Lambrecht Steens on the reverse. It is the finest known version of a composition that survives in at least three further examples. Francken may have derived the composition in which Christ stretches across the picture plane, his lifeless body supported by Joseph of Arimathaea, from an engraving by Enea Vico or, perhaps likelier, a painting of circa 1597 variously given to Sir Peter Paul Rubens and his master Otto van Veen (Musée du Louvre, Paris). Particularly noteworthy is Francken's use of metallic gold that has been ground into a powder and combined with oil for the four halos, Nicodemus's collar and Joseph of Arimathaea's turban and cloak.
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Condition report
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
The panel is composed of a single horizontally ground oak board, approximately 1/8 inch thick which exhibits beveling along all four edges, although the beveling along the lower edge is narrower than the other edges. The panel bows from top to bottom approximately 3⁄4 of an inch. The reverse includes the panel maker mark of Lambrecht Steens as well as a wax seal. Under natural light the varnish is cloudy and the surface is dirty. A fine craquelure is visible throughout. There is slight cracking and associated lifting along a 2 inch line at upper center to the right of the mouth of the cave, apparently corresponding to a wood worm tunnel. Under ultraviolet light, only a handful of dots fluoresce including one on the standing man at rights red robe and one on Christ’s perizonium. A 1 x 2 inch area at the upper right corner also fluoresces. The painting appears to be in lovely condition and would respond well to a cleaning and re-varnishing, but could also be displayed as is.
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Lot 10Sale 19030
The LamentationFrans Francken II (Antwerp 1607-1667)Estimate: USD 15,000 - 20,000
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