Johann König

Anonymous sale, Cologne, Lempertz, 26 November 1970, lot 97, where probably acquired by the father of the present owner;
Thence by inheritance.

R. Baljöhr, in E. Mai (ed.), Das Kabinett des Sammlers, Gemälde vom XV. bis XVIII Jahrhundert, Cologne 1993, pp. 149-150, under no. 59.

In overall very good condition. The panel is made up of a single plank, which is uncradled, flat and stable. The paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear and even. There is a very small loss in the red robe of the rightmost figure. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals very few retouchings, consisting only of some pinpricks in the sky at the horizon, right, scattered through the nude figure on the left, scattered between the heads of the leftmost standing musicians, and to a couple of very small, superficial scratches in the upper right corner. Offered in a stained Dutch-style wood frame with wave decoration 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."

The scene depicted is the visit of Minerva to the Muses on Mount Helicon, mentioned by Ovid in his Fifth Book of the Metamorphoses (Met. V. 250-268). This was a sacred place for the Muses as it was the source for the two springs called Aganippe and Hippocrene, which are visible here in the background.

At least two further versions of this composition by König are recorded, all with small variations and unlike the present panel, on copper; one (20 x 29.5 cm.) in the Hessische Landesmuseum, Darmstadt, recorded as being signed and dated 1619;¹ the second (19.5 x 28.6 cm.), formerly in the collection of Dr. Hinrich Bischoff, signed and dated 1624, was sold London, Sotheby's, 6 December 2006, lot 3. All three date from König's activity in Augsburg.  There is perhaps also a larger, lost version, evidence of which appears in an anonymous painting of circa 1645 of a gallery interior; the so-called Bronckorster Galeriebild in the collection of the Fürsten zu Salm at Schloss Anholt.²

1. See G. Bott, Die Gemäldegalerie des Hessischen Landesmuseums in Darmstadt, Hanau 1968, p. 43, cat. no. 65 reproduced pl. 65.
2. See A.W. Vliegenthart, Bildersammlung der Fürsten zu Salm, Rhede 1981, p. 46, reproduced.