Studio of Jan Massys

Anonymous sale, New York, Christie's, 5 June 1980, lot 171 (as attributed to Massys);
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 14 January 1988, lot 65 (as by Massys).

L. Buijnsters-Smets, Jan Massys: een Antwerps schilder uit de zestiende eeuw, Zwolle 1995, p. 196, under no. 36, n. 183.

The support consists of three horizontal panels cradleed to the reverse. The paint surface is secure and appears to be in good condition if a little thin, under an old yellowed varnish. Discoloured retouching work is evident to the naked eye along the panel joins, most noticeably upper right and this are confirmed under UV light which also reveals some older scattered retouchings under the varnish and some minor scattered more recent work. Offered in a later varnished wood frame in good condition.
"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."

The prototype by Massys, signed and dated 1561, is today in the Statens Museum in Copenhagen.¹  Apart from the present panel, Buijnster-Smets lists only one other version of the design which she considers to be from Massys' workshop; that now in the Staatliche Gemäldegalerie in Kassel.

1. Inv. no. 3734; see Buijnsters-Smets, under Literature, 1995, p. 195, no. 36.