Frans Francken the Younger

With G. de Salvatore, Dijon, by 1961;
Private collection, Bern, by 1978;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Drouot, 7 December 1981, lot 26;
With Robert Noortman, Maastricht, by 1982.

 

Weltkunst, 52, 1982, p. 2037 (advertisement);
U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere (1581-1642), Freren 1989, p. 333, cat. no. 323. reproduced p. 77, colour plate 13.

The actual painting is softer and deeper in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel is slightly bowed but stable and bevelled on all but the lower sides. No damages are apparent and the paint surface seems to be in good condition. The paint surface is under a lucid and shiny layer of varnish. Retouching can be observed in the sky centre right, in the blue and green draperies of the figures on the right and left, in the foreground lower centre. Inspection under Ultra-Violet light, furthermore, reveals that the sky has been significantly over painted, and reveals a few tiny scattered recent retouchings, e.g. in the lower corner right, in the figure lower centre, in the figure left of Scipio. Offered in a later plain wood frame, in good condition. (MW)
"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."

This is the only dated work of a group of six other compositions of the same theme.¹ The colourful accents of the costumes of the figures are an anomaly in Francken's later work of the 1630s which is normally characterised by a monochrome palette (see the previous lot). As in the other versions Francken carefully structured the arrangement of his figures in two groups divided by a diagonal strip running from the foreground through the gate in the background. The central position is given to the protagonist of the narrative, the Roman general Scipio the Elder, whose story is recounted by Livy in his Ab urbe condita, 26:50. To the left of him is the maiden he received as a price after capturing the city of New Carthage. Scipio's great act of clemency of returning the maiden unharmed to her fiancé has just happened. The bridegroom and his family kneel in gratefulness. Adding to his magnanimous act, Scipio returned the ransom of golden vessels, which are handsomely displayed in the foreground, as a wedding gift to the young couple.

1. See Härting under Literature, pp. 333-4. nos. 323-9.