Hans Bol

Private collection, Brussels;
David Koetser, 1989. 

J. Briels, Peintres flamands au berceau du Siècle d'Or hollandais: 1585 - 1630, Antwerp 1997, p. 209 and p. 301, reproduced in color p. 208 and in black and white p. 301. 

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 work on panel is in beautiful condition. The panel is unreinforced. The paint layer is stable. The very fine and detailed technique throughout is beautifully preserved. There are a few tiny retouches in the upper sky in the center, but no other retouches are visible within the remainder of the picture. The work should be hung as is.
"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."

Dated toward the end of the artist’s career, this refined and delicate painting reflects Hans Bol’s talent of working on a small scale, a skill lauded by Karel van Mander in his biography of the artist.  As a fine draughtsman, Bol was adept in completing miniature scenes with a high level of execution.  Here, a large tree and a group of figures anchor the composition, while additional figures and animals dot the pastoral landscape and a river valley gently meanders into the distance.   

This extensive landscape serves as the setting for the biblical love story of Jacob and Rachel visible in the left foreground.¹  During his journey home from Canaan, Jacob encounters a group of shepherds near a well awaiting the stone to be removed to water their flocks.  It is here that Jacob will soon meet and fall in love with his future wife, Rachel, who can be seen approaching the group with her flock of sheep.     

Bol visited this format and narrative on a few occasions towards the end of his career.  Close comparison can be made between the present work and a small oil on panel of the same subject dated to 1593 (Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main) as well as one of a pair dated to 1592 sold Amsterdam, Sotheby’s, 7 May 2008, lot 1.

1. Genesis 29: 1-11.