Sebastiaan Vrancx

Comte François de Robiano, Senateur;
His sale, Brussels, Barbé, 1 May 1837 (as Pierre Brueghel);
General van der Meeren;
Alexandre van der Beeken Pasteel;
His sale, Eindhoven, 1869 (as Pierre Brueghel);
Edmond de Ryckman:
Thence by descent to the present owners.

"The following condition report has been provided by Sarah Walden, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting, like its pendant, is on a fine oak panel with a single central joint, which was reglued and the panel cradled perhaps early in the last century. There were one or two tiny lost flakes along the joint at that time with a narrow line of retouching, and one minute recent flake. The sky has some entirely superficial touches over the old yellowed varnish, and there are occasional small old discoloured retouchings at the edges and base corners, with one curving indented scratch at lower left. The remarkable condition of these two paintings must reflect their peaceful background and early life. Every leaf in the central rose seen against the sky is unworn and intact, as are the most minute details in the far distant background, as well as the crisp inscription on the flag in the upper right corner. The broad sweeping diagonal brushstrokes of the ground are visible through the natural transparency of the final paint layers, with all their rich depths of colour complete. This report was not done under laboratory conditions."
"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."

See note to preceding lot.