The landscape in this painting follows verbatim that of two paintings by Jan Brueghel I, one of which is today in a German private collection and the other of which was sold Christie's, London, 12 December 1986, lot 3 (see K. Ertz and C. Nitze-Ertz, op. cit., pp. 533-537, nos. 244 and 245). Jan II treated the subject in at least one further example, which was formerly on the London art market (see K. Ertz, Jan Breughel der Jüngere (1601-1678): Die Gemälde mit kritischem Oeuvrekatalog, I, Freren, 1984, pp. 314-315, no. 147). The figures of the Virgin and Child differ slightly in the present painting from the other known examples.
More recently, Ursula Härtung and Kathleen Borms have suggested an attribution to Abraham Govaerts for this and five similar paintings (loc. cit.). The figures of the Virgin and Child appear to be by an as-yet unidentified hand.
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The panel is composed on two horizontally oriented boards. The upper panel measures approximately 11 1/2 inches high, the lower panel approximately 8 1/2 inches high. The work is stable and is supported on the reverse with a cradle. The paint layer is stable under a clear varnish that has yellowed slightly with age. There is an overall uneven network of craquelure. There are scattered minor pigment losses, including to the edges from frame abrasion. Under natural light, scattered retouching, including to the panel join, is visible. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the aforementioned touch-ups, and also lines of strengtheing and retouching to minimize the appearance of craquelure. The work should be hung in its present state. The painting is offered with a carved giltwood frame.
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Lot 18Sale 20997
The Virgin and Child in a wooded landscapeABRAHAM GOVAERTS (ANTWERP 1589-1626)Estimate: USD 15,000 - 20,000
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