Studio of Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Probably acquired by Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 8th Bt., 1st Baron Hesketh (1881-1944), certainly prior to 1927, when it hung in the Saloon at Easton Neston;
Thence by family descent.

Archibald Phillips, 16, Conduit Street, London W.1., Inventory and Valuation of the Household Furniture, Ornamental Effects, Pictures and other items at Easton Neston House, Towcester, Northants, February 1927, typed document (Family Archive), 'Drawing room, no. 44, oil painting by Rubens - Landscape with Lord and St. John in the foreground £1500);
H. Avray Tipping, 'Easton Neston , Northamptonshire, The Seat of Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, Bt.',  in Country Life, 27th August 1927, vol. LX11,  p.298, fig.3, where illustrated hanging in The Saloon. 

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas is lined and the paint layer is stable. There are restored losses/tears to the upper right and obvious discoloured restoration to the figures where minor paint loss has occurred and to reduce the dark cracking. The blue of the sky has been strengthened where the ground colour has come to dominate. There are abraded areas of paint in the foliage of the trees and to the shadows in the foreground and the background, right, behind the figure of Christ. Areas that are well preserved include the sheep, most of the figures, the foliage in the foreground and the robe. The varnish has discoloured and its removal would improve the tonality. Offered in a carved gilt wood frame in good condition."
"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."

A studio copy after Rubens' now-lost original from circa 1628, known through the woodcut of Christoffel Jegher (see M. Jaffé, Rubens, Milan 1989, p. 306, cat. no. 914).