Lot 132
  • 132

Workshop of Joos van Cleve

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description

  • Workshop of Joos van Cleve
  • Virgin and Child with a pear
  • oil on oak panel, lozenge shaped

Provenance

Henry Louis Bischoffsheim (1829-1909), Bute House, South Audley Street, London;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 7 May 1926, lot 76 (as Bernaert van Orley), for 95 guineas.

Literature

J. O. Hand, Joos van Cleve. The Complete Paintings, New Haven & London 2004, p. 180, cat. no. 106.1 (as workshop or copy of Joos).

Condition

In overall very good condition. The panel is uncradled, although there is some supportive fabric on the reverse across an old split, which runs the width of the panel through the top of the Child’s head, arm and the Virgin’s wrist. The paint surface is clean and well-preserved and the varnish is clear and even. Inspection under UV light reveals a fine line of retouching along the aforementioned split, as well as small spots of retouching in Christ’s proper right cheek, His leg, and in the Virgin’s hand. There is otherwise very little other intervention. Offered in a parcel gilt Gothic style frame in very 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."

Catalogue Note

In addition to the present panel, there are two further treatments of this composition which are believed to have been executed in van Cleve's workshop circa 1525; one is listed in the collection of Dr J. H. van Heek, Huis Bergh, 's-Heerenberg,1 and the other was with Douwes in Amsterdam in 2007.2 The van Heek and Douwes versions are very alike, down to the smallest details, and so are assumed to have been created using the same cartoon. In the present Virgin and Child small differences are apparent; the angle of the Christ Child’s head has been altered; he clasps a pear in his raised hand, not an apple; the placement of the Virgin’s fingers is different. These alterations and the artists confident draughtsmanship (visible in infra-red throughout the modelling of the infant’s face and neck) and subsequent changes made at the ‘painting stage’ (visible for example in the wrist of the Virgin) betrays an independent and competent hand and lends the present panel a uniqueness within van Cleve’s oeuvre.3 The lozenge shaped panel used in the three versions, is also unique in the works of the artist and enhances the intimacy of the scene which was no doubt intended for private devotion.

Following first-hand inspection, Micha Leeflang has confirmed the present work to be from the workshop of van Cleve, with possible assistance from the master himself. On the basis of photographs, Peter van den Brink has also commented on the extremely high quality of the present panel, and has suggested a slightly later dating in or shortly after 1530.

 

1. J. O. Hand, Joos van Cleve. The Complete Paintings, New Haven & London 2004, p. 180, no. 106, reproduced fig. 154, as workshop of Joos.
2. Max J. Friedländer, Early Netherlandish Painting, vol. IXa, Leiden 1972, p. 63, no. 61a, and Hand 2004, p. 180, under no. 106.4, both as location unknown.
3. Infra-red images are available upon request from the department.