Carstian Luyckx

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 25 April 1951, lot 104, for £30, where acquired by an ancestor of the present owner (as D. van Beke).

The panel is uncradled, flat and stable and in very nice condition. It is very slightly bevelled on all four edges. The paint surface is in excellent condition and has been recently re-varnished to draw out the colours of the flowers from the dark background. Delicate shades have been rpeserves, such as the reds at the tips of the small leaves lower left, and the powdery clours of the butterflies' wings. The paint layer retains its thickness, and the countours are smooth and rounded. A wide craqueleur spreads across the entire panel. This lot is sold in a wooden frame with [painted golden edges and a black velvet centre, 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."

We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer of the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie for endorsing the attribution on the basis of photographs and for proposing a date of execution in the 1650s.