Circle of Pieter Brueghel the Younger

The colours are warmer and yellower in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel support consists of two horizontal oak planks, bevelled on all four sides and held by an old canvas strip affixed to the reverse. There is an old hairline crack of 11cm in the upper left hand corner and a very small one of 4 cm in the lower right hand corner. The panel has developed a faint convex bow. The paint surface appears to be in extremley good condition overall with little or no sign of wear. Inspection under ultra-violet light reveals restoration to the splits mentioned above and to a few scattered local retouchings on the left hand side. The painting has recently been revarnished and should require no futher attention. This lot is sold with a modern ebonised wood frame in the Dutch style 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."

The composition ultimately derives, with minor changes in some of the details, from Pieter Breugel the Elder's celebrated Carnival and Lent of 1599 in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. A version of this composition by the workshop of Pieter Brueghel the Younger was sold in these Rooms, 7 July 2010, lot 7, for £150,000.