Studio of Jacob Jordaens

Possibly Hillegonda Maria van Heemskerk, The Hague, 1733;
Anonymous sale (identified by Jaffé as the Jacob Jordaens sale), The Hague, 22 March 1734, lot 66 (as by Jordaens);
Richard Cosway, London, by 1791;
His sale, London, Christie's, 3 March 1792, lot 74, to Simpson;
Possibly with Knight, Frank and Rutley, London, sold to Koetser;
With David M. Koetser Gallery, New York and Zurich, sold to Held;
Julius S. Held, New York, by 1965/6;
With Central Pictures Galleries, New York, sold to Morris I. Kaplan, before 1968 (as Venus and Marseus);
Morris I. Kaplan, Chicago, 1968;
By whose Executors sold, London, Sotheby's, 8 December 1971, lot 51, for 800 Pounds, to the J. Paul Getty Museum (inv. no. 71.PB.62);
By whom sold, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 8 May 2007, lot 65.

Northridge, California State University, Baroque Masters from the J. Paul Getty Museum, 26 February - 30 March 1973, no. 21.

G. Hoet, Catalogus of Naamlyst van Schilderyen, vol. I, Soest 1976 (reprint of 1752), p. 403, no. 66 (as by Jordaens);
J. Held, 'Review of R.-A. d'Hulst, Jordaens Drawings', in The Art Bulletin, vol. LX, no. 4, December 1978, pp. 726, 728 (as The Punishment of Pan(?)), reproduced p. 728, fig. 10 (detail);
M. Jaffé, 'Review of d'Hulst, Jordaens Drawings 1974, and d'Hulst, Jacob Jordaens, 1982', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. CXXVI, no. 981, December 1984, pp. 784-7, reproduced fig. 58;
D. Jaffé, Summary Catalogue of European Paintings in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles 1997, p. 65, reproduced.

The actual painting is less bright and deeper in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel seems to consist of two horizontal planks and is marouflé. The panel has been cradled. Two restored thin horizontal cracks are running from the right edge, and another one is visible running from the left edge. The paint surface is under a dirty layer of varnish. The paint surface is in fair condition and the highlights have been nicely preserved, but the paint is a little thin in the browner areas. Areas of retouching are visible the sky upper left and upper centre. Inspection under UV light reveals another think repaired split in the upper right corner, a few scattered small retouchings, and some very minor strengthening of the figures which overall appear nicely intact. Offered in a decorative gilt plaster and wood frame with a few chips and losses.
"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."

There is a preliminary drawing for the figure of Venus in the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York (inv. no. A 98v).