- 7
Attributed to Christian Bockstorffer
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Christian Bockstorffer
- the children of herodicus
- Pen and brown ink and wash over black chalk, within partial black ink framing lines, on two joined sheets; horizontal and vertical folds
Provenance
Peter Vischer, Basel, circa 1820;
sale, Bern, Gutekunst & Klipstein, 28 April 1955, lot 390, reproduced fig. 13, as Swiss School, 16th Century
sale, Bern, Gutekunst & Klipstein, 28 April 1955, lot 390, reproduced fig. 13, as Swiss School, 16th Century
Condition
Framed. Laid down. Horizontal crease across centre. Vertical crease down centre. Losses at top centre and left and right, and centre left, above small boat. A few small stains and spots. Otherwise good and strong and still makes a very good impression.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The subject of this unusually large and splendid glass design was not recognised at the time of the 1955 sale. Thöne, however, identified it beyond any doubt by comparison with an illustration in Johann Ludwig Gottfried's Historische Chronica, published by Matthaeus Merian in Frankfurt in 1636. There, a very similar scene is linked to a text, originally deriving from Livy, in which Theoxena and Archo, the children of Herodicus, are condemned to death by Phillip of Macedon. They attempt to flee to safety by boat, but finding themselves pursued by Phillip in another ship, choose to throw themselves overboard to their deaths rather than be captured. In 1574, an edition of Livy was published in Strasbourg with illustrations by Tobais Stimmer, one of which is loosely derived from the present composition. Subjects from Livy were particularly popular in the early 16th Century in the Upper Rhine region. In Thöne's opinion, the drawing must have been made around 1540 in the area of Constance, and he has suggested a tentative attribution to Christian Bockstorffer.