Sebastiaan Vrancx

J. Vander Auwera, Catalogue Raisonné of Sebastiaan Vrancx (to be included in his forthcoming catalogue).

The actual painting is a little less red than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel has a slight convex bow, but otherwise, is in good condition. There's some old frame abrasion along the edges. The paint surface is generally sound, and under a very dirty and discoloured varnish layer. Some small areas of retouching can be made out in the sky, in the ice and some minor ones in the large figure on the right. Inspection under UV light is largely impeded by the dirty varnish layer, but there's possibly some retouching in the houses and some strengthening in some of the figures underneath the varnish. Offered in a decorative gilt wood frame in fair condition.
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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."

Vrancx was well known for his series of the different seasons, of which a large set of four was offered in these Rooms, 7 May 2008, and the present panel may originally have formed part of such a set. The composition is known in other versions: one such was sold Amsterdam, Christie's, 13 October 2009, lot 37 (€ 97,000) and another sold Paris,  Artcurial - Briest - Poulain, Tajan, 22 June 2009, lot 7 (€ 150,000).