David Teniers the Younger

Ferdinand d'Hautpoul (1841-1904), Paris;

His (deceased) sale, Paris, Drouot (Chevallier), 29 June 1906, lot 24, for 6,050 francs;

E. J. Philips, The Hague, by 1933.

This signed panel has been set into a cradle and is stable and flat. There is a thin horizontal line of weakness in the panel about 7cm from the lower edge. It has been overpainted and is only noticeable under raking light as a small irregulairty in the surface. The paint surface is in excellent condition, with all brushwork discernible. The blue and red colour of the clothing worn by the man at the centre are beautifully- preserved and vibrant. There is wonderful crisp clarity to the brushstrokes defining details like the feather in the man's hat, the spark of the match, the cord on which the key hangs, and the trail of smoke wafting upwards from the man on the right's open mouth. Inspection under UV light shows restoration to to small horizontal lines near the lower edge, especially on the right hand side, also to an 8 cm horizontal line upper left and a 3 cm line in the upper right. There are further spot retouchings to the men's clothing, but otherwise the paint surface has largely been left alone and is in a very good state. This lot is sold in a wooden frame painted black, in fantastic condition.
"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 of smokers was introduced into Flemish art by Adriaen Brouwer, who settled in Antwerp in 1631. Originally a novelty in specialised seaport taverns in the early years of the 17th century, the habit of smoking spread rapidly through the Low Countries, but it was not until much later that it shed its associations of disrepute. The subject was eagerly adopted by the young Teniers, and soon became one of the central themes of his genre paintings set in taverns and other  interiors. Unlike Brouwer, whose pictures often contain an admonitory tone, Teniers' depictions of smokers are more detached and objective. His subjects, always drawn from the artisan classes, are typically arranged in one or two small groups, with a man lighting his pipe and another leaning back and exhaling. The principal figure here, with his jaunty red cap and feather and blue jerkin, can be compared to that in another signed work sold Amsterdam, Christie's, 14 November 2012, lot 69. A copy of this composition was sold in these Rooms, 9 June 1982, lot 61. 

We are grateful to Frau Margret Klinge for confirming the attribution on the basis of digital images.