Circle of Frans Floris the Elder

Anonymous sale ("The Property of a Gentleman of Title"), London, Christie's, 25 October 1974, lot 88, for 2000 Guineas to Ruchma Ltd.;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 15 July 1977, lot 156;
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 18 December 1980, lot 44, for £1,500 (all of the above as by Frans Floris).

The actual painting is less red and more subdued in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The panel seems to consist of 6 planks joined horizontally and has been cradled to the reverse. Several thin splits, other than the joins, can be made out, e.g. above the join upper left, a small one in the upper left corner, one running from the left edge in the lower half and another running from the right edge in the lower right corner, but none of these are unstable. The paint surface is under a dirty and discoloured varnish. There's a tendency towards flaking in some areas, especially along the joins and splits and the paint surface requires some attention. Restored tiny losses can be made out across the surface. There is some thinnes in the blue tones, but for a panel this size, the paint layer is in fair condition. Small scattered discoloured retouchings are visible throughout. Inspection under UV light reveals additional older scattered retouchings, e.g. in the background and in the group of figures on the right. Two recent larger areas of retouching are revealed in the upper left corner and in the centre lower right. Offered in a plain black wood frame with a few 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."

The subject is taken from the second book of Macabees, III:25-29. Heliodorus was ordered by the Syrian Seleucid King to steal the treasures from King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. But, as is portrayed in this painting, he was struck down by a rider on horseback and scourged by the latter's companions, represented here as angels. The subject, often regarded as a prefiguration of Christ driving the money changers from the temple, is rare in 16^th Century Netherlandish art.

This picture is closely connected in style and execution to the Antwerp painter Frans Floris (1519/20-1570). Floris, who lived in Rome from 1541 until 1547, was considered to be one of the best exponents of the Roman style among northern painters. The robust and sculptural figures in the present work evidently reflect Floris'  monumental style based on his familiarity with the work of celebrated Italian masters such as Raphael, whose fresco of this subject in the Vatican he may well have seen.¹ Some of the head types, especially those of the women in the foreground, echo those of works by Floris datable to the 1550s and the 1560s, such as one, sold, New York, Sotheby's, 16 May 1996, lot 189, and another, sold, New York, Christie's, 23 January 2004, lot 18.

1. See P. De Vecchi, The Complete Paintings of Raphael, London 1969, p. 106, cat. no. 95 E, reproduced p. 107.