Attributed to Joseph van Bredael

Lokeren, De Vuyst, Het Boerenleven, December 1987 - February 1988.

The actual painting is less red, more green/blue and more subtle in tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The rather thick copper plate is flat and stable. Apart from a few minor abrasions along the edges, no damages seem to be apparent. Many of the details in the background and in the figures and foliage seem to be well preserved. Minor strengthening can be observed in the figures in front. Some small repaired paint losses can be observed in the upper left corner. The paint surface is under a dirty and uneven, shiny varnish layer. Inspection under Ultra Violet light is partly impeded by the varnish, but does reveal the strengthenings as mentioned above, a few small retouchings in the boats in the centre, as well as a few tiny ones in the foliage and water. Offered in a plain, black wood frame, a few chips. (ML)
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The present painting is derived from Jan Brueghel the Elder's River landscape with a town view of 1607, but differs from it in many respects, most notably the introduction of the covered waggon on the left of the composition.¹ From 1706 till 1715, Bredael had an arrangement with art dealer Jacob de Witte to make a number of high-quality copies of works by Breughel the Younger and Philips Wouwerman. In his recent catalogue of Bredael's paintings, Ertz lists six other versions of this design, all slightly different, of which two are signed.² According to Ertz the church in the background is probably the St. Michaëlis in Antwerp. 

1. Formerly with Galerie Sankt Lucas, Vienna. See K. Ertz, Jan Breughel der Ältere (1601-1678), Lingen 2008, pp. 273-6, cat. no. 124, reproduced in colour.
2. K. Ertz, Josef van Bredael 1688-1739, Lingen 2006, pp. 167-8, cat. nos. E71-6.