Pieter Lisaert IV Antwerp 1590 - 1629/30

With Nicholas M. Acquavella Galleries, New York, no. 2029, as Frans Floris (according to a label on the reverse).

"The following condition report has been provided by Hamish Dewar, an independent restorer, address: 14 Mason's Yard, Duke Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6BU, tel: +44 (0)20 7930 4004, fax: +44 (0)20 7930 4100, email: hamish@hamishdewar.co.uk. UNCONDITIONAL AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE Structural Condition The panel has three vertical wooden batons on the reverse which are attached with metal keys and two horizontal inserts applied to secure two horizontal joins or splits in the panel. This has successfully ensured the overall structural stability of the panel. Paint Surface The paint surface has an even varnish layer and the two horizontal lines mentioned above are only visible under a raking light and are not visually distracting, with the exception of a very thin horizontal fracture in the dark pigment in the upper left of the composition. This line does appear to be stable but is visible in natural light and requiries revarnishing. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals quite extensive retouchings, most significantly along two horizontal joins or splits and also along a similar line which runs just beneath the upper horizontal framing edge and comprises of a band or retouching which is approximately 80 cm in length and 4 cm in depth. There are a number of other retouchings scattered across the paint surface most noticeably in the lower left and lower right corners. The figures themselves appear to be in good condition with minimal retouching apart from those along the horizontal lines mentioned above. The details of the still lives as well as the trees and buildings are also in comparatively good condition with minimal inpainting. Summary The painting therefore appears to have been carefully and successfully treated in the past and while a number of retouchings have been applied the great majority are in the less significant areas of the composition."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This is one of at least five versions of this composition attributed to Lisaert, one of which, in the collection of the Conde del Sacro Imperio, is signed.¹ All of Lisaert's versions however derive from a prototype of 1616 by his master Frans Francken the Younger, today in a German private collection.²

The subject is taken from Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-13. Ten virgins are given the honour of attending a wedding and each is given a lamp while they await the bridegroom. The five wise virgins bring extra oil and, while they wait, employ themselves in virtuous tasks; when the groom arrives they are ready and prepared and go with him. The five foolish virgins, here depicted on the right frittering away their time in idle pursuits, neglect to bring extra oil; their lamps burn out and they therefore miss the groom's arrival.



1  The others are in Madrid, Museo del Prado, inv. no. 2724; Caracas, Juan Rohe collection; Toronto, Sellers collection.
2  See U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere, Freren 1989, p. 268, cat. no. 142, reproduced fig. 49.