- 224
Follower of Frans Francken the Younger
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 EUR
bidding is closed
Description
- Frans Francken the Younger
- Esther and Ahasuerus
- oil on panel, branded with the remains of the Antwerp panel maker's mark on the reverse
- 49.4 by 64 cm.
Provenance
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 9 November 1972, lot 127 (as by F. Francken).
Condition
The actual painting is a bit warmer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests.
The panel consists of three planks, joined horizontally, and is bevelled along the left and right sides. The joins are hardly visible to the front.
The paint surface is somewhat abraded throughout, but especially towards the background. There is a damaged spot and paint loss in the upper left corner, but otherwise the paint surface is in stable condition, although there is a slight tendency towards flaking in the lower half of the painting. The varnish layer is slightly dirty and quite glossy.
Inspection under UV-light reveals a filled and retouched spot in the upper left corner and retouchings in the background architecture as well as some minor scattered spots of retouching along the joins. The figures seem to be well preserved.
Offered in a decorative gilt wood frame with an ebony strip, a few chips. (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."
"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
Prime version of this composition is in the National Gallery of Prague.1 Another very similar version is in a private collection, see Härting's PhD dissertation (1983) B44a, ill. 117 (not included in her published monograph, see note 1).
1. Ursula Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere (1581-1642). Die Gemälde mit kritischem oeuvrekatalog, Freren 1989, p. 248, cat. no. 84, reproduced.