Lot 1
  • 1

Follower of Adriaen Isenbrant

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • Adriaen Isenbrant
  • the Penitent St Jerome kneeling before a portable crucifix, an extensive landscape beyond
  • oil on panel

Condition

The support consists of a single uncradled oak panel which has developed a slight convex bow. There are a series of recent dents to the picture surface just above the horizon line and visible in the catalogue illustration. The painting is now dirty and covered with a layer of discoloured varnish. The varnish is somewhat uneven, and fluoresces unevenly under ultra violet light, but a substantial amount of repair is evident. There is a restored group of old vertical losses, the largest some 3 cm in length, towards the front and bottom of the saints robes, and another two of similar size behind and to the right of him. The foreground grass in front of the saint has been completely repainted, as has the grass in the middle distance and a great deal of the trees and woodland behind him, to his right. Other repairs are mostly of a local nature, ie to the leaves and to the tree to the left, scattered retouchings to the sky and to the head and chest of the saint. The restoration is not well carried out and may, to some degree, be superfluous. The essential quality and details of the picture, especially in teh back ground remain undiminished. This lot is offered with a later, ebonized wood frame with ripple mouldings, with damage to its top edge.
"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."

Catalogue Note

While the pose of St. Jerome recurs in numerous works by Isenbrandt and his close followers, this panel has most in common with Isenbrandt's larger autograph painting in the John G. Johnson Collection, Philadelphia, and the smaller panel in the Kunsthalle, Hamburg (see M.J. Friedländer, Early Netherlandish Painting, vol. XI, Leiden 1974, p. 82, no. 137a and 137 respectively, both reproduced plate 118). Ultimately the figure of St. Jerome derives from the prototype of Isenbrandt's teacher, Gerard David, an example of which is in the National Gallery, London.