HERMAN VAN SWANEVELT | Joseph sold by his brothers

Le Comte Jean Roger de la Guiche (1719–70), Paris;
His sale, Paris, Pierre Remy, 4-7 March 1771, lot 30;
Joseph John Martin, Ham Court, no. 3;
On deposit in the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne, 1925, inv. no. Depot 508;
By descent to Christopher Bromley-Martin Esq.;
By whom anonymously sold, London, Christie's, 30 October 1981, lot 144;
Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, 17 June 1982, lot 149 (as Circle of Bartholomeus Breenbergh);
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 17 December 1982, lot 69;
G.F.F. Davies;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 22 July 1983, lot 23;
Where acquired by the present owner.

A.C. Steland, Herman van Swanevelt, 2 vols, Petersberg 2010, p. 169, cat. no. G2,44, reproduced in colour p. 456, fig. G119.

The copper plate is flat and stable, although a few very faint dents are visible under raking light. The paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals two small areas of retouching in the sky, which are associated with the light denting just mentioned. There is retouching throughout the furthest left tree, spot retouching to the central group of figures and a handful of further small spots scattered in the upper sky and lower foreground. The painting is in overall very good condition. Offered in a plain ebonised wood frame in very 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.
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."

Another version on panel, identical in composition but rectangular in format, sold at Lempertz, Cologne, 20 November 1993, lot 1030.¹ Swanevelt was evidently attracted to this subject, because he painted another treatment of it in a larger picture on canvas, with a pendant of Joseph relating his dreams to his brothers, both in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.²  The present picture was almost certainly painted in Rome, where Swanevelt was from 1624–41, as were presumably the six small coppers in the Galleria Doria-Pamphilj, Rome, identified by Malcolm Waddingham.³

1 Steland 2010, p. 163, cat. no. G2,29, reproduced p. 456, fig. G120.
2 Inv. nos 55 and 56; Steland 2010, pp. 156–57, cat. nos G2,12 and G,211, reproduced pp. 414–15, figs G57 and G59.
3 M. Waddingham, 'Herman van Swanevelt in Rome', in Paragone, no. 121, 1960, pp. 41–5, reproduced plates 23, 29 and 31.