Studio of Frans Francken the Younger Antwerp 1581 - 1642

Palma de Mallorca, Caixa de Balears, Sa Nostra, Natura en repòs, 1994 (as Frans Francken II).

U. Härting, Studien zur Kabinettbildmalerei des Frans Francken II. 1581-1642, ein repräsentativer Werkkatalog, New York 1983, cat. no. B225 (as 'a repetition').

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The panel is oak. There are two repaired horizontal joins and several smaller splits to the edges. The paint surface is unstable and blistering in some areas and there is evidence of abrasion. Previous paint losses have been retouched out. There is an uneven and discoloured varnish."
"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."

Whereas most stories of the hero Achilles concentrate on his fortitude and bravery, the episode with the daughters of Lycomedes is a somewhat unheroic event. Knowing that her son would die if he went to fight in the Trojan war, Achilles' mother sent him to live with the daughters of King Lycomedes where he had to dress as one of the girls in order to disguise his identity. However, eager to enlist Achilles' help, Ulysses and other Greek leaders arrived at the palace and placed a series of gifts before the girls. While the girls reached out to take the jewels and other fine clothes, Achilles was unable to suppress his warrior instinct and grabbed the sword that lay amongst the gifts, thereby revealing his identity.

The composition derives from the painting by Francken in Paris, Musée du Louvre, inv. no. 1535 (see U. Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere, Freren, 1989, p. 317, cat. no. 305).