Jürgen Ovens

Signor Gio Gherardo, Rome;
From whom purchased by Cardinal Venuti, Rome, in 1802;
Possibly L. Churchill (all of the above according to an old label on the reverse);
Lüders Collection, Berlin;
Sale, Stockholm, Bukowski, 11-13 October 1950, lot 170;
Sale, Stockholm, Bukowski, 5 December 2000, lot 390.

Berlin, Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunst des XV. bis XIX, 1909.

Reiner & Lewinsky, Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunst des XV. bis XIX., exhibition catalogue, Berlin 1909, p. 28.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvas is lined and the paint layer stable, although raised in one or two areas. There are two recent tears with accompanying paint losses. Under U-V light a scattering of restorations can be seen across the surface denoting thinness to the paint layer and minor losses e.g. to the background, left, in the tree, to the lower part of the Saint's tunic and under the leaves, right. Otherwise, the painting is in good original condition; the impasto is well preserved and the delicate scumbles and glazes unaffected. Removing the discoloured varnish would improve the tonality. Offered in a dark painted wood frame, with some losses."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

The date of 1660 on the present painting coincides with Ovens stay in Amsterdam (1657-1663) where he was greatly influenced by the work of Rembrandt.