Lucas Gassel

Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 25 January 2001, lot 111.

The actual painting is less red in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel seems to consist of 3 planks joined horizontally and is cradled to the reverse. There's a repaired and restored horizontal crack running below the upper edge and another one below the upper join. The paint layer appears in good condition, with some small scattered retouchings, e.g. in the woman's face, in the man's costume, and in the sky. The under drawing is nicely visible in the figures. The paint surface is under a fairly clear layer of varnish. Inspection under UV light reveals some additional small scattered retouchings, e.g. in the village centre right, some minor ones in the trees, and in the mountains. Offered in a wood cassetta frame with gilt fillets and leaf scroll decorations, with some minor chips.
"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."

Gassel is mostly known for his historical and biblical subjects set into extensive panoramic landscapes. With his high horizon lines and teeming mountainous structures, such as in this painting, he firmly belongs to the tradition of landscape painting established in the north by Joachim Patinir (circa 1475-1524) and Herri met de Bles (circa 1510-before 1566).

The subject is taken from the book of Genesis (38:14-18) and tells the story of Tamar and Judah. According to custom of the levirate marriage, Tamar, the widow of Judah's firstborn Er, was to marry the next eligible son of the family, Onan. When Onan failed his duties as a husband and as a result was slain by an angry God, Judah should have given Tamar to his youngest son Shelah according to regulation and paternal obligation. However, when Judah delayed this marriage, Tamar realized Judah's plot and devised her own revenge. Dressed as a prostitute, she seduced Judah, who did not recognize her. As a pledge of payment Judah left his ring and staff, as is here shown, which she secretly took with her. When Judah later heared that Tamar was pregnant he ordered that she should be burnt to death for breaking her pledge to his family. When she appeared before the execution, she produced Judah's ring and staff. Judah recognized the items and declared that she was more righteous than he.

In 2001, Edwin Buijsen, then of the R.K.D., The Hague, confirmed the attribution to Gassel on the basis of a photograph. A smaller version with slight differences was sold, Amsterdam, Christie's, 9 May 2000, lot 109.