VINCENT SELLAER | Leda with the swan and her children

Hildebrand;
His sale, Berlin, Helbing, 1909;
Bonte, Berlin;
Anonymous sale, Vienna, Dorotheum, 2 December 1975, lot 132 (with the above provenance);
Where acquired by the present owner.

The panel is cradled, and very slightly bowed. The paint surface is stable and clean, and the varnish slightly discoloured. There are a few visible retouchings, mainly consisting of fine, vertical lines starting along the upper and lower edges, probably along old cracks - most notably one starting along the upper edge, 1/3 of the way in from the left margin, which runs the height of the panel; and one starting along the lower edge, 1/3 of the way in from the right margin, measuring approx. 30 cm. There are two further vertical fine lines of retouching in her chest, one approx. 10 cm. long, and the other 20 cm., as well as a spot in her chest. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms these underneath the thick varnish, as well as a few further small spots scattered throughout. In overall 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."

Several versions of Leda and the Swan by Sellaer are known, all nearly identical. The present version appears most similar to the panel currently in the Seattle Art Museum (inv. no. 2004.31).¹ The subject derives from the famous lost composition of Leda by Leonardo da Vinci, which influenced and inspired a number of Netherlandish artists of the period including Joos van Cleve and Cornelis van Cleve, both of whom painted variants on the subject. Sellaer was exposed to Italian painting during his sojourn in Brescia around 1522–24, where he is thought to have worked with the painter Moretto da Brescia. 

1 http://art.seattleartmuseum.org/objects/31754/leda-and-the-swan-and-her-children?ctx=a1678029-5bf5-4a34-a43e-0a731ad48273&idx=0