Atelier de Pieter Paul Rubens

Ancienne collection Randon de Boisset,
Sa vente, Maitre Chariot, Paris, 27 février au 25 mars 1777;
Acquis à la vente pécédente par Poullain;
Probablement sa vente, Maitre Langlier, Paris, 15-21 mars 1780;
Probablement acquis à cette vente par Nogaret;
Sa vente, Maitre Chariot, Paris, 2-5 juin 1780;
Acquis à la vente précédente par Donjeu;
Vente après décès du Jonkheer H.A. Steengracht van Duivenvoorde, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 9 juin 1913, lot 65 (comme Pierre-Paul Rubens);
Par descendance dans la famille de l'actuel propriétaire.

J. Smith, Catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch Flemish and French painters, 1829-1842, vol II, cité n°81;
T. van Westrheene, in Kunstkronijk, 1857;
M. Rooses, l'Oeuvre de P.P. Rubens, 1886-1892, tome I, cité p.248;
G. Lafenestre et E. Richtenberger, La peinture en Europe, 1890, vol III, cité p.160-161;
G. Geoffroy, Les musées d'Europe, 1900, cité p.130

To the naked eye: The painting is in overall good condition. The panel is made with two visible planks. We can remark a junction of two vertical planks at 6.5 centimeters from the left edge. The panel is cradled. The oval size of the work is probably not original but used from an earlier modification of a bigger panel. The work has been properly clean and it's now under a thick varnish, shiny and uniform. The glazes are well preserved. Under UV light: There are quite a number of retouching in the background, specifically on the edges. The pink glaze on the face, the arm blessing and abdomen were probably reinforced and appear pink under the UV lamp.
"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."

Le tableau a été gravé avec quelques légers changements par S. A Bolswert. Cette estampe qui ne porte pas le nom de Rubens, a pour titre: O humilem sublimatem! O sublimem humilitatem!

Lithographié par A. C. Nunnink dans la revue Kunstkronijk (1857).

Une répétition de cette composition se trouve dans la galerie du duc de Leuchtenberg à Saint Pétersbourg.