Hieronymus Francken I

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This panel has a cradle which seems to be properly keeping the panel flat and the paint layer stable. The panel is probably made from two pieces of wood joined horizontally across the lower sky and through the building on the right. The retouches to this picture are not clearly visible under ultraviolet light, except in the center of the right edge and beneath the seated male figure in the lower left. There are also restorations that run horizontally which address the original join in the panel. There is a repaired crack on the left edge through the necks of the seated couple on the left side. There seem to be some other restorations in the upper center sky. The picture is probably slightly dirty, but the restorations do not seem particularly numerous and they are certainly well matched. However, if the work were cleaned, restorations would likely become more apparent, particularly in the sky.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Having trained in Antwerp, Hieronymus Francken I is documented in Paris from 1566 to 1572.  After a brief return to his hometown in 1574, he settled in Fontainebleau, taking employment at the French court and in 1594 was appointed Pientre du Roi to King Henry IV of France, remaining in Fontainebleau until his death.  Along with the work of Lodewijck Toeput, called Lodovico Pozzoserrato, Francken’s compositions with elegant groups of dancing figures, musicians and courtiers anticipated those scenes popularized by his nephew, Frans Francken II.