Attributed to Joachim Beuckelaer Antwerp circa 1534 - circa 1574 Antwerp (?)

By descent in the present owner's family since the early 20th century.

This appears to be the only known signed example of this composition, which exists in a number of closely related variants and which in the past has variously been assigned to both Beuckelaer and Pieter Aertsen. The presence of Beuckelaer's monogram on the present panel finally seesm to establish his authorship of the design. Another variant, dated 1562 and in which the figure of a shepherd raising his hat is introduced on the left of the composition, was sold in New York, Christie's, 27 January 2000, lot 166 (as by Aertsen) for $63,000. A weak copy of this painting was sold London, Sotheby's, 20 April 1977, lot 141.