17th Century Follower of Hieronymus Bosch

M. Cels, Brussels, by 1902;
Henry Mayer, New York;
Jan Mayer;
Possibly with Galerie Robert Finck, Brussels;
From whom possibly purchased by the present owner.

Bruges, Exposition de tableaux flamands des XIVe, XVe et XVIe siècles : catalogue critique, 1902, no. 277 (as Imitator of Hieronymous Bosch).

The canvas is relined. The painting is under an older slightly milky varnish. The vast majority of this large canvas is in good condition, with very few retouches in the figures and background, though some are visible in the naked figure. The major issue with the painting is a large repaired tear in the canvas in two directions: first from St. Anthony's right hand and extending approximately twelve inches to the right, which is bisected in the middle by an upward tear measuring approximately 10 inches. Retouches are visible under UV and to the naked eye along the tear, but they are sensitively applied. In a carved and elaborately painted wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Temptation of Saint Anthony was an extremely popular subject among early Netherlandish artists, particularly Hieronymus Bosch (c.1450/1460-1516), who used the tale of the steadfast Saint as an illustration of ones ability to overcome temptation of earthly pleasures. Bosch's treatment of the subject in his large scale triptych (1505, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, inv. no. 1498 Pint) is a seminal picture in early Netherlandish painting, and almost certainly inspired a generation of artists who would follow Bosch not only in his choice of subject matter, but also in style and iconography. One such artist was Pieter Huys (Antwerp circa 1520 - circa 1584), who employed Bosch's characteristic symbolic and fantastical characters in his own pictures. Huys appears to have felt a particular connection to the Temptation of Saint Anthony, as he executed numerous variants of the subject. The present composition closely follows a picture formerly attributed to both Bosch and Jan Mandijn, and now given to Huys in full (sold Cologne, Lempertz, 10 May 1916, lot 15).¹

1. RKD on-line art work number 51808 (illustration number 0000074670)