Follower of Frans Snyders, 18th century

James de la Poer (1841-1915), Gurteen Castle,
Ireland, since the mid- 1850's;
Thence by descent;
Private collection, Koblenz, since the 1990’s.

The canvas has been relined. The paint surface has some pronounced craquelure and only few, small unrestored losses, for example: in the undergrowth, centre of the lower margin, and in an area on the tree trunks, centre left, where an area of flaking and lifting paint has resulted in a small loss. There are a small number of patches of discoloured restoration visible to the naked eye. The seams making up this large canvas are visible only on close inspection. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals scattered strengthenings in the darker tones. A line running vertically down the centre right of the canvas (possibly due to a fold) has some retouchings along it. In overall fair condition with a general degree of lifting through the more pronounced areas of craquelure, particularly in the tree trunks. Offered in an elaborately carved, gessoed, and fragile brown wood frame with only few chunks missing. In overall good 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."

An 18th or early 19th century work, the central part taken from the left hand side of Frans Snyders' Bearhunt, now in the Alte Pinakothek, Munich (inv. no. 1267).¹ The figures on horseback on the right of the composition are taken from the Bull Hunt, thought to be a collaborative work by Snyders and Rubens, now in the Museo Arqueológico Provincial, Gerona.²
1. Canvas, 208 x 342 cm. See H. Robels, Frans Snyders: Stilleben- und Tiermaler 1579-1657, Munich 1989, p. 345, reproduced fig. 249.
2. Canvas, 111 x 368 cm. See A. Balis, Corpus Rubenianum Ludwig Burchard XVIII, Rubens: Hunting Scenes II, London 1986, pp. 254-260, cat. no. 26, reproduced fig. 126.