Attributed to a member of the Blarenberghe family, 1697

Sale, New York, Christie's, 22 January 2004, lot 275 (ii) (with another, as Louis-Nicolas van Blarenberghe), purchased by the present owner

Laid down. Overall in very good condition. Colors are strong and vibrant. Sold 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.
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.

The date of 1697 that is clearly inscribed on the present gouache excludes an attribution to Louis-Nicolas van Blarenberghe (1716-1794), under whose name the work was previously sold.  The Blarenberghes were, however, an extremely extensive artistic dynasty, with its origins in the earlier 17th century, so even though there is no recorded member of the family with the initials DVB (with which this work is signed), that does not mean the artist was not a relation.¹

1.  M. Maillet-Chassagne, Une dynastie de peintres lillois, les Van Blarenberghe, Paris 2001