FOLLOWER OF JAN BRUEGHEL THE ELDER | Juno’s arrival in Hades

Pieter van Huffel (1776–1837), Paris and Ghent;
Dr. Pons, Brussels, 1936;
Anonymous sale, Brussels, Giroux, 9 March 1951, lot 210 (as Jan Brueghel the Elder);
Generalkonsul Hans Klenk (1906–83), Mainz-Gonsenheim, by 1968;
On the art market, Munich, 1980–83.

Mainz, Kunstgeschichtlichen Institut der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Werke alter Meister aus Privatbesitz, 7 May – 30 June 1968, no. 11 (as Jan Brueghel the Elder).

R. Hamann-MacLean, Werke alter Meister aus Privatbesitz. Sammlung Hans Klenk, Mainz. Nachtrag Kritische Anmerkungen, Ergänzungen und Korrekturen, Mainz 1969, pp. 3–4, cat. no. 11 (as Circle of Jan Brueghel the Elder);
K. Ertz, Jan Bruegel die Ältere. Die Gemälde mit kritischem Œuvrekatalog, Cologne 1979, pp. 129–30, note 91 (as a follower of Jan Brueghel the Elder);
K. Ertz, Jan Breughel the Younger (1601–1678), Freren 1984, pp. 65 and 305–06, cat. no. 134, reproduced p. 305 (as 'a version by the artist's own hand (?)', datable to circa 1650).

The panel appears to be formed of three horizontal planks, and is cradled, flat and stable. The paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals The varnish fluoresces opaquely under ultraviolet light making it very difficult to see any form of intervention but horizontal bands of retouching along both the joins are visible running the width of the painting. There are also three fine lines of retouching along short, diagonal surface scratches lower right measuring 3 cm. long. In overall good condition. Offered in a Dutch style, stained wood frame in good condition with a minor loss.
"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."

The figure of Juno here is lifted directly from Jan Brueghel the Elder and Hans Rottenhammer's rendition of this theme of circa 1598,¹ but most other details – the burning buildings, the gallows, the hellish creatures and the condemned figures – are all the artist's own. Another version of the present composition is in the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Gemäldegalerie, Dresden, also attributed to a follower of Jan Brueghel the Elder.²  1 Oil on copper, 25.5 x 35.5 cm.; Dresden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen, Gemäldegalerie, inv. no. 877; see K. Ertz, Jan Brueghel der Ältere (1568–1625). Kritischer Katalog der Gemälde, Lingen 2008, vol. II, pp. 751–52, cat. no. 371, reproduced in colour p. 753.
2 Oil on oak panel, 37 x 48.5 cm., inv. no. 913; see Ertz 1984, p. 306, cat. no. 135, reproduced.