Old Master Drawings

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Lot 526
  • 526

Friedrich Brentel

Estimate
14,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

  • Friedrich Brentel
  • Christ and the Pharisees
  • Gouache heightened with gold, within gold and black ink framing lines;
    signed and dated in black ink at the lower border: F. Brentel. / 1638;
    bears partly legible inscription in brown ink on the back of the frame: Mathieu chap. XII / ...par les discip...  and bears a signature: P.P. Calert 

Condition

Sold in an attractive carved wood and gilded frame. Not seen out of frame. There is some very silght cracking of the medium in the figure of Christ, with some very tiny losses. Otherwise, it appears in the be in excellent 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Brentel took this composition from a print of the same subject by Jacques Callot.  The engraving was part of a series Callot made at the end of his life, in 1635, which illustrated scenes from the New Testament.1 

The episode is taken from Matthew XII, 1-3:
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were ahungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was ahungered, and they that were with him;

Christ among the Doctors and The Tribute Money, two other copies by Brentel after the same series have appeared at auction in recent years.2

1. See J. Lieure, Jacques Callot, Paris 1927, plates vol. III, fig. 1420; text vol. III, p. 97, no. 1420 (Meaume no. 40)
2. Respectively, London, Sotheby's, 8 July 2009, lot 44, and the same rooms, 4 July 2007, lot 82