Flemish School, early 17th Century

The actual painting is softer and slightly less yellow in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel consists of three planks joined horizontally. The panel is bevelled on the lower and left edges and very lightly bevelled on the other edges. The planks are reinforced by three vertical wooden strips, and one horizontal wooden strip. The joins are visible to the foreground and the planks are slightly bowed. A horizontal retouched crack of approx. 20 cm. is visible just below the upper edge. No further damages seem to be apparent. The paint surface is in fine condition, in particular the figures are beautifully preserved. Some tiny spots of retouching can be observed in the sky. The paint surface is under a slightly yellowed, thick layer of varnish. Inspection under ultra violet light confirmes the aforesaid, and reveals another smaller horizontal crack in the lower right corner. Furthermore, tiny additional retouchings are revealed in the treas, along the joins and in the foreground. Offered in a black wood frame with a gilt fillet in good condition. (MW)
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