Circle of Hendrick van Balen

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The copper panel has some deformations across its surface. The paint layer is stable. There is visibly discoloured restoration to the sea and thinness to the paint layer elsewhere which has been strengthened, e.g. the trunks of the trees in the background, the hair of the figures and the foreground (some of this I believe is excessive, covering a natural sketchiness conceived by the artist). The flesh tones have been strengthened. A tonal improvement would be achieved by the removal of the discoloured and degraded varnish. Carved gilt wood frame, some chips."
"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."

The composition follows that of Hendrick van Balen's Banquet of Achelous in Rodez, Musée Denys Puech, inv. no. M.R.60 (see B. Werche, Hendrick van Balen, vol. I, Turnhout 2004, pp. 155-6, no. A57, reproduced vol. II, p. 353).

The subject is taken from  Ovid's Metamorphoses (VIII: 547-610) and shows Achelous, patron deity of the largest river of Greece, hosting a banquet for Theseus and his companions on their return from Crete to Athens.