Jan Breughel the Younger

Don Mariano Ordoñez, Madrid, in whose family's collection since the late 19th century;
Acquired recently from a descendant of the above by the present owner.

The support consists of a single fine sheet of copper. There is an old hole in the centre of the top edge, presumably for mounting, and various minor dents to the edges of the sheet. The painting is now very dirty and covered in a layer of discoloured old varnish. There is an old 10 cm. diagonal surface scratch upper left, and a few scattered old losses and scrapes around the margins, the lower left corner, upper left corner, in the sky centre left and around the violins upper right, but overall the paint surface is very well preserved with little or no sign of any wear. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals no recent interventions, but discoloured scattered old retouchings are visible, for example to the flesh tones, water and grotto.
"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."

As with so many of Jan Brueghel the Younger's compositions the present painting is loosely based on one of his father's paintings, the Allegory of Hearing produced in collaboration with Sir Peter Paul Rubens, now in the Prado, Madrid, which forms part of the celebrated series of the Five Senses.¹   The central figure group with the deer, the plethora of musical instruments, the birds and the contemporary musicians playing in a side room are all drawn from Jan Brueghel the Elder's composition and result in a scene brimming with activity and music.

Brueghel the Younger has however altered his father's original considerably to produce a thoroughly individual composition.  Many of the aforementioned details are painted in reverse, he has omitted the table of clocks and orological instruments and his scene is set in a curious interior open on the left hand side and flanked by a moat, looking out over a mountainous region beyond.  In the centre of this moat Mount Helicon is depicted, complete with decorated shell piers, music making muses and the winged horse Pegasus springing the Hippocrene.

The composition is known in a number of other autograph versions including a signed copper sold London, Christie's, 13 December 2000 for £420,000 and an oak panel offered in these Rooms, 10 July 2002, lot 48.  A studio version was also sold in these Rooms, 11 July 2002, lot 112 and a version by Jan van Kessel I and Abraham Williems after Brueghel the Younger was sold London, Christie's, 7 April 1995, lot 18.

1. K. Ertz, Jan Brueghel del Ältere (1568-1625), Cologne 1979, pp. 350-352, no. 329, fig. 420.