ATTRIBUTED TO JOHANN KOERBECKECOESFELD OR MÜNSTER CIRCA 1415/20 - 1491 MÜNSTER | The Nativity

With Galerie Jacques Leegenhoek, Paris, where acquired by the present owner in 2011 (as school of Amiens, circa 1480).

The actual painting is more tonal and show more contrast than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The panel seems probably to either laid down on another panel or alternatively shaved down on the reverse. The painted surface seems to be in good condition with a craquelure pattern consistent of its age which is coarse in the green part upper right to a fine pattern upper right in the sky. No major damages seem to be apparent. The colors and some of the little impastos seem to be nicely preserved. Faint traces of underdrawing can be detected i.g. in the red clothing of Joseph. The painted surface is covered with an old varnish layer which is discolored in places. Under UV light The varnish layer fluoresces in some places showing some retouchings in the face of Mary and some in the architecture part. A 5cm wide vertical opaque fluorescing band of (old?) varnish layer appears in the middle, possibly covering the join; some other opaque fluorescing patches are visible upper left and right side. Offered with a new medieval-style wooden frame, some minor chips and damages.
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We kindly thank Dr. Frédéric Elsig of the University of Geneva for suggesting the attribution on the basis of photographs. Furthermore Dr. Elsig dates the present work to circa 1460-1470.