ITALO-FLEMISH SCHOOL, 17TH CENTURY | The Massacre of the Innocents;The Miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish

a pair, the verso with the cipher of Charles I

King Charles I of England (1600–49), both branded with his cypher on the reverse, and recorded in the inventories made by the Trustees appointed by Act of Parliament after the King's execution, as located in Hampton Court in 1649, inv. nos 173 and 174;
His sale, 21 May 1650, for £1 each, the former to Mr. Wright, the latter to Mr. De Critz;
Probably Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria (1614–62), and by descent to
His nephew Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (1640–1705);
His son Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I (1678–1711);
His brother Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI (1685–1740);
His daughter Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa (1717–80);
Her son Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II (1741–92);
His brother Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II (1747–92);
His son Archduke Rainer Joseph of Austria, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia (1783–1853);
Thence by descent.

O. Miller, 'The Inventories and Valuations of the King's goods 1649–1651', in Walpole Society, XLIII, 1972, p. 196, nos 173 and 174.

Innocents: The reverse of the panel is inlaid with vertical butterfly battens (one of which has fallen out), in three vertical lines, and is flat and stable. The paint surface is clean, and the varnish is very slightly yellowed and streaky, with 2 discoloured drips in the sky (upper centre). There is a diagonal scratch with associated paint loss to the right of these, approx. 1.5 cm. long, and a few further small spots of paint loss scattered in the sky (upper right), and in the canopy (upper left), and further scratches: in the shoulder of the pleading man (centre left), a spot in the pediment just above him, in the back of the woman with arms spread (lower right), and in the calf of the man with a moustache (lower left) - all approx. 2 cm. long. There is a horizontal split in the panel which starts just below centre of the right margin, approx. 35 cm. long, from which another split begins half way through it (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is evidence of old frame abrasion, most notably along the left, upper and right edges. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a few scattered retouchings, mostly to the aforementioned scratches, as well as in the group of figures looking out from the window (upper centre). Loaves: The reverse of the panel is inlaid with vertical butterfly battens in three vertical lines, and is flat and stable. The paint surface is clean, and the varnish is slightly discoloured and even, save for 2 discoloured drips (upper centre), and a vertical band which almost runs the height of the panel, just right of centre (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is a horizontal split in the panel along the lower right margin approx. 15 cm. long, and another which starts in the upper left corner approx. 30 cm. long. There is a small spot of paint loss in the trees upper left, and 3 further tiny spots of paint loss surrounding it, probably from a knock to the surface. There is evidence of frame abrasion, most notably along the upper edge. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the discoloured drips and band mentioned above, and reveals only a few small, scattered retouchings.
"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."