- 189
Studio of Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description
- Sir Peter Paul Rubens
- The Death of St. Anthony Abbot
- Pen and brown ink and wash and black and red chalk, within brown ink framing lines;
the sheet apparently lightly blackened on the verso for transfer;
bears inscription in black chalk, verso: Diepenbeek
Provenance
Bears unidentified collector's mark, verso (possibly arms; not in Lugt)
Condition
Backed around all four edges with a narrow strip of brown paper, which has caused slight discolouration of the sheet. Some minor losses at extreme edges, especially top left corner. A few light stains, especially towards lower left. Repaired tear (c 2cm), backed with Japan paper, towards bottom right corner. Otherwise reasonably 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.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
This drawing records Rubens's large altarpiece, painted around 1615 for St. John's Church, 's-Hertogenbosch, and now in the collection of Count Schönborn at Schloss Weissenstein, Pommersfelden.1 Both the style of the drawing and the lightly blackened verso of the sheet would suggest that this large and detailed drawing must have been made as the preparatory study for a reproductive print, although the lines are not obviously indented for transfer, so it may well never actually have been used in the production of such a print. The only known print after this painting (fig. 1), by Pieter Clouwet, was executed only in 1649, a number of years after Rubens's death, and lacks the two putti at the top of the composition, so it seems unlikely that it was based on the present drawing, which has all the hallmarks of having been produced under Rubens's direct supervision, as part of his highly organised print production process.
1. H. Vlieghe, Corpus Rubenianum Ludwug Burchard Part VIII: Saints, London/New York 1972, pp. 92-95, no. 64, fig. 113