Italian School, first half of the 17th Century

Acquired in Paris by Le Leu, agent of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, in 1743, for the Gemäldegalerie, Dresden;
De-accessioned from the Gemäldegalerie in the 1920s, and certainly before 1927.

M. Oesterreich, Inventarium von der Koniglichen Bilder-Galerie zu Dresden, vol. II, Dresden 1754, no. 308 (as 'van Bock');
J.A. Riedel & C.F. Wenzel, Catalogue des Tableaux de la Galerie Electorale à Dresde, Dresden 1765, p. 41, no. 215 (as ' Van Bock');
J.A. Riedel & C.F. Wenzel, Verzeichnis der Gemälde in der Churfürstl. Gallerie in Dresden, Leipzig 1771, p. 42, no. 215 (as 'Van Bock');
Catalogue des Tableaux de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, Dresden 1846, p. 163, no. 1409 (as 'Van Bock ; inconnu');
J. Hübner, Catalogue de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, Dresden 1862, p. 328, no. 1429 (as 'Un inconnu');
J. Hübner, Catalogue de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, Dresden 1868, p. 291, no. 1429 (as 'Un Inconnu');
J. Hübner, Catalogue de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, Dresden 1872, p. 294, no. 1429 (as 'Maître Inconnu');
J. Hübner, Catalogue de la Galerie Royale de Dresde, Dresden 1880, p. 310, no. 1537 (as 'Maître Inconnu');
K. Woermann, Katalog der Königlichen Gemäldegalerie zu Dresden, Dresden 1887, p. 119, no. 1054 (as 'Unbestimmte Niederländer des XVII. Jahrhunderts');
K. Woermann, Katalog der Königlichen Gemäldegalerie zu Dresden,Dresden 1892, p. 346, no. 1054 (as 'Unbestimmte Niederländer des XVII. Jahrhunderts');
K. Woermann, Katalog der Königlichen Gemäldegalerie zu Dresden,Dresden 1902, p. 343, no. 1054 (as 'Unbestimmte Niederländer des XVII. Jahrhunderts');
K. Woermann, Katalog der Königlichen Gemäldegalerie zu Dresden,Dresden 1905, p. 342, no. 1054 (as 'Unbestimmte Niederländer des XVII. Jahrhunderts');
H. Posse & K. Woermann, Catalogue of the pictures in the Royal Gallery at Dresden, Dresden 1912, p. 333, no. 1054 (as ' Flemish or Dutch School of the XVII. Century')

Relined. under very dirty, discolored old varnish. the paint surface has been pressed and is abraded, especially in his beard and hair. there is a heavyish craquelure which gives the surface a rather uneven appearance. despite this, the figures still reads reasonably well. under ultraviolet: it is difficult to see through the heavy, old varnish. some more recent retouches can be seen on top of the old varnish in background areas. In an elaborately carved and gilt wood frame with some nicks.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This painting, acquired for the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden in 1743, was re-framed along with the entire collection between 1747 and 1752 and it retains its Dresden Gallery frame from this date. It is last recorded in the Dresden inventories in 1912 but is likely to have been de-accessioned in the 1920s, along with many works including two Voeut compositions, also offered in this sale, with which it directly corresponds.