Circle of Sir Peter Paul Rubens

With Brunner Gallery, Paris, 1914;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 8 April 1970, lot 134, as P.P. Rubens (for £500 to Harcourt Antiques).

The stable, flat support appears to consist of a single panel, cradled to the reverse. The paint surface is a little dirty and under a slightly yellowed varnish, but is secure with much of the original brushwork apparent. There is minimal frame abrasion visible along the upper margin. There are five small paint losses lower right as are visible in the catalogue illustration. These losses are along some old small retouched scratches and the remaining retouchings to these are discoloured. There are further discoloured retouchings visible to an old vertical crack approx. 8cm long upper right, a small old damage just 1cm2 in size to the right of the horse's mane upper left and three very small old areas of damage in the tree trunk upper right. Inspection under UV light is impeded by the varnish but confirms these retouchings and furthermore reveals scattered spot retouchings and strengthenings to the work. Though these are extensive in number they are generally fine and seem to leave much of the painting intact. The majority of the faces and the head of the rearing horse are, for example, original. Offered in an ornate gilt wood and plaster frame in fairly good condition, though rubbed, with a handful of minor losses.
"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."

While echoing Rubens' treatment of the subject (J. Paul Getty Museum, California) this is an independent composition by an artist working in Rubens' close circle. An attribution to Jan van den Hoecke (1611-1650) has been suggested (for comparative material see H. Vlieghe, 'Nicht Jan Boeckhorst, sondern Jan van den Hoecke', in Westfalen, 68, 1990, pp. 166-183). Only one other record of the composition seems to be known; a copy sold Butterfields, 11 November 1992, lot 3031.