Paul de Vos

Don Diego Messia Felípez de Guzmán, 1st Marqués de Leganés (circa 1585–1655), listed in his posthumous inventory of 1655;
By family descent to Don Vicente Joaquín Osorio de Moscoso y Guzmán, Count of Altamira (1756–1816).

Mexico City, Museo Nacional de San Carlos; Ferrara, Palazzo dei Diamanti, Rubens y Su Siglo, 5 November 1998 – 28 Febuary 1999, no. 71.

J. López Navío, ‘La gran colección de pinturas del Marqués de Leganés’, in Analecta Calasanctiana, vol. VIII, 1962, no. 92;
H. Robels, Frans Snyders, Augsburg 1989, p. 518, no. V55 (under ‘Unidentified Works’);
S. Slesin, Spanish Style, New York 1990, p. 83, reproduced;
M. Diáz Padrón et. al., Rubens y Su Siglo, exh. cat., Ferrara 1999, cat. no. 71, reproduced.

The large canvas has a firm relining and the picture has an even, if somewhat shiny varnish. There is a vertical seam or fold running the length of the canvas, 30 cm. from the right margin, but otherwise no major damages are visible and the painting is in good overall condition. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered, localised retouchings, mostly confined to the sky and dark tones of the background, as well as to the right shoulder and haunch of the goat. Offered in a carved and gilt wood frame 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.
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This fable scene formed part of the great collections assembled by Don Diego Messia Felípez de Guzmán, 1st Marques of Leganés (circa 1585–1655), which on his death in 1655 numbered over 1,300 paintings. His posthumous inventory of 1655 lists no less than twenty fable scenes 'by Snyders'. Seven of the fables are of similar dimensions and almost certainly formed part of a set commissioned directly from Frans Snyders and hung, along with the present work, at the owner’s country residence La Morata, near Leganés, outside Madrid. It is now thought that in fact not all of the set were the work of Snyders, but some were contributed by Paul de Vos, to whom the present canvas is attributed.

During the late 18^th and early 19^th century the present work belonged to Don Vicente Joaquín Osorio de Moscoso y Guzmán, Conde de Altamira (1756–1816), whose distinctive inventory number (with the cross on either side) is visible lower right. Altamira was one of the founders of the Banco de San Carlos, the present day Bank of Spain. His wealth was such that Charles III restricted the scale of the design of his family palace in Calle de la Flor, commissioned from the architect Ventura Rodriguez, due to concerns it would rival the Royal Palace.

We are grateful to Dr Fred G. Meijer for tentatively endorsing the attribution to De Vos upon inspection of photographs.