Jan Breughel the Younger

On the London art market, 1968 (as by Edwin Henry Landseer);
Malcolm Waddingham, London;
By whom sold, Amsterdam, Sotheby's, 15 November 2005, lot 4, where acquired by the present owner.

K. Ertz, Jan Brueghel the Younger (1601-–678), Freren 1984, p. 501, cat. no. 331, reproduced.

A single panel bevelled on all four sides, uncradled, flat and stable. A few knocks along the edges and two tiny damages in each of the two lower corners. The paint surface is stable with no sign of flaking or loss of paint. Inspection under UV light shows a thick varnish, very old infilling of craquelure, and some repair ot the frame marks along the edges. Other than these no other restoration work appears. This lot is offered unframed.
"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."

In this close examination of the head of a stag from different angles the artist is interested in the details of the bright eyes, the different textures of fur and hairs around the muzzle and ears, and the softer skin around the mouth, whilst the background remains a plain wash. A similar study showing three views of a stag's head, but of a younger animal, is in the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Narbonne.¹ Ertz dates both sketches as having been executed prior to the artist's trip to Italy around 1620 and suggests that they were preparatory studies for the stag appearing before the kneeling saint in the artist's Vision of St Hubertus, now in the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich, dated 1621.²

1. See Ertz, under Literature, p. 501, cat. no. 330, reproduced.
2. Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlung, Alte Pinakothek, inv. no. 2178/670. Oil on copper, 50 by 72.5 cm; see Ertz, op. cit., p. 333, cat. no. 168, reproduced.