Studio of Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Per Lagerbring (1732–99), inv. no. 102, whose collection was bought in its entirety by David Henrik Hildebrand (1712–94), Ericsberg;
His son, David Gotthard Henrik Hildebrand (1761–1808), who died unmarried;
His sister, Agneta Sofia Hildebrand, who was married to Baron Carl Göran Bonde (1757–1840);
Thence by descent at Ericsberg until sold ('Property from the Bonde Collection, Ericsbergs Slott, Sweden'), London, Sotheby's, 6 July 2006, lot 143, where acquired by the present owner.

O. Granberg, Catalogue raisonné de tableaux... dans les collections privées de la Suede, Stockholm 1886, p. 206, cat. no. 354;
O. Granberg, Trésors d'Art en Suède, vol. III, Stockholm 1913, reproduced vol. III, plate 18;
B.G. Söderberg et al., Svenska Slott & Herresäten, Södermanland Part 1, Malmo 1968, p. 126, reproduced p. 123;
A. Pigler, Barokthemen, Budapest 1974, vol. II, p. 361;
E. McGrath, Rubens. Subjects from History II, in Corpus Rubenianum Ludwig Burchard, London 1997, vol. II, p. 80, cat. no. 14, copy no. 3.

The canvas is unlined, the paint surface is stable and the varnish is even but discoloured. There are several campaigns of old discoloured retouchings visible to the naked eye scattered throughout the painting: in Roxana's leg, hand and in a diagonal scratch through her right breast, measuring 13 cm.; in the hand and body of the cupid veiling her; in the cheek of the male attendant; and elsewhere. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered more minor restorations and retouchings throughout. There are some reinforced patches on the back of the canvas to support old minor restorations, and there is a horizontal seam visible. Offered in a gilt and gold paint simple wood frame.
"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."

This composition is derived from a lost original by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), known today through several studio replicas or variants. The best of these are the paintings now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; in the Staatliche Schlosser und Gärten, Wörlitz; and that formerly in the collections of the Kings of Hanover, sold Hanover, Sotheby's, 5 October 2005, lot 415.¹ The present painting was formerly attributed to Theodor van Thulden (1606–69); another version of the composition, given to van Thulden, is recorded in the collection of Alfred S. Karlsen, Beverly Hills, California.

1. See McGrath, 1997, vol. I, plates 55–56, 58, vol. II, p. 80, cat. no. 14 and 14(1) and p. 85, cat. no. 15.