Hieronymus Francken II

Sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 10 November 1998, lot 15 (as Flemish School, early 17th Century)

Laid down. Overall in fairly good condition. There are a number of repaired tears, one at the upper margin in the centre, one at the upper right corner and another at the right margin towards the lower right corner. The medium is still strong and vibrant.
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.

The present sheet relates closely to a painting of the same subject by Hieronymus Francken II in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg (fig. 1), of which another version is in Warsaw.¹  The facial features of the two woman playing the violin and organ in both the paintings and the present sheet are closely comparable as are the compositions in a broader sense.  The only significant differences between the paintings and the drawing seem to be the inclusion of the table in the left foreground of the drawing as well as the slightly different poses of some of the individual figures.  Although relatively little is known of Francken's drawing style, is seems very plausible that the present sheet is a compositional study for the Hermitage painting.

1. See U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere, Freren 1989, vol. II, p. 168, under no. 149, reproduced p. 177