Ecole allemande du XVIe siècle

Collection particulière de la région d'Angers depuis plus de soixante-dix ans.

The painting is in fair overall condition. It has been painted on a panel made of three cradled boards with horizontal joints. There is a very old varnish showing visible cracks and traces of mould, especially in the dark areas. It must probably be a bitumized varnish. Looking at the painting, we can see the horizontal joints and some restorations along them. There is a 5 cm height strip of flaking and paint losses along the lower joint. Some traces of xylophagous insects. UV light: Under a green thick and uniform varnish, although we can note a 5 by 10 cm cleaning window in the upper right corner. There are some restorations along the splits previously mentioned. A 4 cm wide oblique retouching in the centre, upper part of the book. The paint surface hasn't been restored for a long time.
"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."

On connaît plusieurs versions de ces livres de prières ouverts: l'une, de même composition, faisait partie de la collection Bentinck-Thyssen, et fut vendue à Londres, Sotheby's, 6 décembre 1995, lot 72; une autre est conservée à la Staatliche Gemäldesammlung, Kassel (catalogue de 1969, p. 78); une troisième se trouve à Innsbruck, Schloss Ambras (catalogue de 1976, no. 386); une quatrième, attribuée par erreur à Edward Collier, fut vendue à New York, Christie's, 11 janvier 1979, lot 248; et une dernière version dans une collection particulière qui fut exposée à Baden, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Stilleben in Europa, 1980, no. 256. 

Ce panneau en pin devait très certainement appartenir à une série d'éléments de décor pour une bibliothèque. Un tel support suggère par ailleurs une exécution dans les régions du sud de l'Allemagne.