Noble & Private Collections
Noble & Private Collections
The Property of a Dutch Baron
Circle of Constantijn Netscher
Portrait of a boy holding a bow and arrow; Portrait of a girl collecting roses
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 EUR
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Description
The Property of a Dutch Baron
Circle of Constantijn Netscher
Portrait of a boy holding a bow and arrow; Portrait of a girl collecting roses
a pair, both oil on canvas, presented in 17th-century Netherlandish carved and gilded Lutma frames
each unframed: approx. 54.1 x 44.8 cm.; 21¼ x 17⅝ in.
each framed: approx. 76.3 x 67 cm.; 30 x 26⅜ in.
These endearing portraits of two young children are similar in style to the work of Constantijn Netscher, the son of Caspar Netscher (1635/36–1684), a successful portrait artist working in The Hague. Constantijn often imitated his father's style and the two artists' works have often been confused.
The paintings are presented in matching Netherlandish carved and gilded Lutma frames dating to the late 17th century. The carved flowers, fruit and vegetables around the frame perhaps give clues to the sitters in these portraits. The motifs include maize, alluding to the Goddess Ceres (agriculture, abundance and fertility), pinks (a symbol of betrothal), single roses (the Virgin), anemones (Adonis's and Christ's blood) and pine cones (renewal of life or eternity). The flowers and fruit can also connote youth and innocence, as may be the case in these portraits, which perhaps show a young brother and sister. However, the inclusion of the pinks could suggest these are betrothal portraits. The initials carved into the cartouche on the top rails of both frames further provide clues to the sitters, possibly WD or VAD in ligature.
We are grateful to Lynn Roberts for her assistance with the cataloguing of these frames.