Flemish School, 17th Century

Private collection, by 1959 until 1968;
Central Picture Galleries, New York, to Dr.  William P. Garred, 1976;
Dr. William P. Garred, Onowa, Iowa, donated to the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1976 (inv. no. 76.PA.46);
By whom sold, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 8 May 2007, lot 64.

J. Mathey, 'The Early Compositions of Antoine Watteau in the style of the Dutch and Flemish painters', in The Art Quarterly, vol. XX, 1957, pp. 254-5, reproduced fig. 14 (as by Watteau);
J. Mathey, Antoine Watteau, Paris 1959, p. 28, reproduced fig. 39, (as by Watteau, painted in 1709, and inspired by Van Dyck);
G. Macchia, L'Opera Completa di Watteau, Milan 1968, p. 124, no. 1-D, reproduced (as `Molto lontano da Watteau');
P. Rosenberg and E. Camesasca, Tout l'oeuvre peint de Watteau, Paris 1970, p. 124, no. 1-D (as 'Mediocre dérivation de la peinture flamande entre Rubens et van Dyck, sans aucun lien précis avec Watteau');
D. Jaffé, Summary Catalogue of European Paintings in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles 1997, p. 42, reproduced (as Flemish School, 17th Century).

The actual painting is softer in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The canvas has been relined. No damages are apparent. The paint surface is under a dirty varnish and there's a slightly coarse craquelure throughout. The paint layer appears well preserved if a little flattened. Some minor retouchings can be observed in the figure on the left and in the upper and left background. Inspection under UV light reveals a few additional scattered retouchings, e.g. in the central putto and along the stretcher mark centre right. Offered in a decorative gilt plaster and wood frame with a few chips.
"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."