Follower of Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Private collection, Catalonia, since the 19th century;
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 2006.

M. Díaz Padrón, El siglo de Rubens en el Museo de Prado: catálogo razonado de pintura flamenca del siglo XVII, exhibition catalogue, Barcelona 1995, p. 864, reproduced (as a Copy after Rubens).

The canvas has an old but slightly rigid and uneven relining which is still sound. The paint surface overall appears generally in good condition with no major damages visible to the naked eye apart from an old 6 cm tear in the upper right corner. There is an old horizontal seam running across 10 cm from the lower edge. Inspection under UV light reveals 2 old repaired damages of 4 by 7 cm to the right of the head of the Virgin, another vertical 4 cm damage to the robes of the magus in red, a diagonal 8 cm damage above Christ's head and a 4 cm damage next to the turbaned king. Apart from this, restoration is restricted to only minor interventions to areas of loss or damage around the old seam and details in the costumes of the standing figures. Sold in a later plain gilt wood frame, a little rubbed.
"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."

This is a partial, period copy after Rubens' original from 1638 in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (see J.M.^a Ortega Calderón, Todo el Prado, Madrid 1996, p. 550, fig. 1651).