Jan Symonsz. Pynas Alkmaar 1581/2 - 1631 Amsterdam

Prince Wladimir Argoutinsky-Dolgoroukoff, sale of his collection, Amsterdam, R.W.P. de Vries, 27 March 1925, lot 180 (as Lastman)

Kurt Bauch, 'Beiträge zum Werk der Vorläufer Rembrandts II. Zeichnungen von Jan Pynas', Oud Holland, LII, 1935, pp. 197-9, reproduced fig. 6

Some staining and damage to paper in areas of white heightening. Some very light foxing overall, but otherwise reasonably good and fresh. Unframed.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

As Bauch pointed out (loc. cit.), this is the study by Pynas for a three-panel altarpiece, which was recorded in numerous old sale catalogues until the late 18th century, but is now lost.  Given the rarity of such multiple altarpieces in the Netherlands at this time, the close correspondence between the present composition and the descriptions in these catalogues means that although no images of the altar are known, the connection is almost certain.   It is also a very rare example of a full compositional drawing by Pynas. 

Stylistically, Bauch sees in this composition a combination of influences from Venetian art, and from the Roman world of Elsheimer and his contemporaries, presumably absorbed during Pynas' trip, or trips, to Italy.  The 18th-century biographer Arnold Houbraken states that Jan Pynas accompanied Pieter Lastman to Italy in 1605, but if he did make such a trip, it was a relatively short one, as he is documented as living in Amsterdam at the beginning of 1607.  More securely documented is a later trip to Rome, in 1617, when he signed and inscribed a drawing Jan Pynas ft/Roma 1617.¹

 

1. Laban searching for the Household Gods, Amsterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet.  See P. Schatborn & M. Schapelhouman, Dutch Drawings of the Seventeenth Century in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Artists born between 1580 and 1600, 2 vols., Amsterdam 1998, cat. no. 279