School of Bruges,1575

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 EUR

bidding is closed

Description

the wings of a dismembered triptych:the outer left wing: the presumed donor Meester Willem van Overbeke together with a statue of saint George;the outer right wing: the presumed donor Meester Christiaen Baers, together with a statue of saint Catherine;the inner left wing: Christ bearing the cross and male donors praying below;the inner right wing: the entombment and female donors praying below
charged with the coat-of-arms of the sitters, outer left wing, centre right, outer right wing, centre left and dated on the outer left wing, lower right:1575

inscribed on the outer wings: Meester Willem van Overbeke groot vader Ende Mr Christiaen Baers vader te (N)adere van TH Willim Baers levende in in eghden hebbe(n) desen röuente gedaen veel dueghende. Deuote Broeders zijt danckbaer al t(e)samen/
Heer Willem Baers soe(n) desselts Mr Christiaen heeft oick van gelijcken ver(t)rouen(t)e gedaen Te dier memorïen en(de) oick zijns peters willë(n) rosse(e)l Heeft hij altier doen stellen dit scho(e)n tafelreel
segende (t)en m m...isten requiestant in pace anie(m)
oil on panel, the wings of a triptych, the centre part missing, in a later frame

Provenance

With Ad de Raad, Rosmalen, where bought by the present owner in the late 1960s.

Condition

The primary colours are a bit less bright in the actual painting, but otherwise the catalogue illustration is representative for the actual work. Each panel consists of two planks that are flat and stable. The paint surfaces of all panels are covered under a thick and glossy varnish layer. In all panels abrasion can be seen throughout, as well as a slight tendency towards cupping along the wood grains. Left inner wing: No major damages are visible to the naked eye, except for scattered tiny paint losses. Areas of retouching visible to the naked eye throughout, especially in Christ's drapery, and in the landscape and sky of both backgrounds. Inspection under UV-light confirms abovementioned retouchings and reveals additional extensive retouchings throughout. Outer left wing: Tiny scattered spots of paint loss are visible throughout. A restored damage is visible upper left in the banner. Discoloured retouchings are visible to the naked eye in the donor's white cloak and in his face. inspection under UV-light confirms aforesaid retouchings and additional areas of retouching throughout, e.g. in the face and sitter's attire and in the statue of St. George. Right inner wing: Restored paint losses are visible along the left edge. Minor scattered spots of paint loss are visible throughout. Retouchings and strengthening are visible to the naked eye in the entombment group of figures as well as in the group of female donors. Inspection under UV-light confirms retouchings and reveals additional, extensive areas of retouching in both figure groups, in the background and in the sky. Right outer wing: Scattered spots of restored paint loss are visible throughout. A minor surface crack is running from upper centre left to bottom centre left. Discoloured retouchings and strengthening in the donor's face and in the statue of St. Catherine. Inspection under UV-light confirms abovementioned retouchings and reveals additional retouchings in the donor's hair and in the statue of St. Catherine as well as in the architectural setting. The two wings are offered in a later, black wood triptych frame with gilt borders, in fair condition. (JD)
"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."

Catalogue Note

Although formerly attributed to the little-known Bruges artist Jacques van den Coornhuuse (active 1556-1584), this attribution cannot be substantiated, since the only recorded painting by him, a Last Judgement, is a copy after Jan Provoost's famous work in the Groeningemuseum, Bruges. In style, however, these wings are indeed characteristic of paintings in or around Bruges in 1575.