Attributed to Jan-Baptiste Van der Haeghen 1688-1738/40

Cyril Humphris, London

Washington, New York, Cambridge 1979-1982, no. 109 (illus.); New York 1981, no. 36 (illus.); Chicago 1987-1988, no. 15 (illus.)

General surface abrasions. Hairline firing cracks. Losses and small chips throughout. Larger losses include: along proper right side of his drapery, legs and one arm of putto. Broken and restored. Restorations include: break through the lower ankles, old repair on arm area of drapery on his proper left side, neck (well repaired), some other small areas of drapery. Additional approximately 1 1/2 in. of terracotta on underside of base for support.
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.

The present terracotta group appears to be a sketch model for the lifesize wood statue of Saint Joseph and the Christ Child in Nôtre Dame de Bon Secours in Brussels by Van der Haeghen. The composition and details are identical. A much looser terracotta sketch-model of this subject by the artist is in the Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels (Washington, New York, Cambridge 1979-1982, op. cit., p. 254, fig. 2).

Van der Haeghen's sculptures of St. Joseph and the Christ Child and St. James the Greater (1723-4) in Nôtre Dame de Bon Secours are among his groups of religious statuary made for churches in and around Brussels in the first half of the 18th century. Only two secular statues by him, of Thetis and Leda made in 1734 for the Parc de Bruxelles in Brussels, are known.