- 120
Frans Floris the Elder and Workshop
Description
- Frans Floris the Elder and Workshop
- Allegory of the Immortality of Virtue
- oil on canvas
Provenance
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."
Catalogue Note
Genita deo virtute [sic] /parit pulcherrimo
Partu, tria aelegante/ forma pignora,
Illustrem honorem,/ dignitatem, gloriam
Dat vero opes, dat co-/ piam rerm, infulas,
Mitras, tiaras, purpu-/ ras, sceptra, indicatque
Acceßum ad immor-/ talitatis aureae
Desiderabilem/ beatitudinem.
An engraving by Cornelis Cort, dated 1564, relies heavily on Floris' composition, albeit with a number of differences.1 The engraving is inscribed: Franciscus floris inventor/ H. Cock excu. at the lower right, and it too has an inscription regarding the subject matter: VIRTUS PARIT HONOREM/ DIGNITATEM GLORIAM/ DAT OPES RERUM COPIAM/ MITRAS SCEPTRA CORONAS/ OSTENDITQUE ACCESSUM/ AD IMMORTALITATEM. A study, in oil on paper laid on canvas, for the head of the reclining woman on the right was sold London, Phillips, 1 July 1997.
ENGRAVED:
By Cornelis Cort (1536-1578) in 1564.
1. M. Sellink, The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450-1700. Cornelis Cort, Part II, Rotterdam 2000, p. 222, no. 146, reproduced.