17th Century Follower of Pieter Brueghel the Younger

Dina Rubenstein, by 1970;
By whom anonymously sold (The Property of a Private Collector, Massachusetts), New York, Sotheby's, 4 June 1980, lot 10 (as attributed to Pieter Brueghel the Younger);
There acquired and thence by descent.

K. Ertz, Pieter Brueghel der Jüngere, 1564-1637/1638. Die Gemälde mit kritischem Oeuvrekatalog, Lingen 1988-2000, vol. II, p. 921, cat. no. A1332, reproduced (as unknown follower of Pieter Brueghel the Younger).

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 is painted on an oak panel which seems to have an original join running horizontally across the center. There are small wooden reinforcements securing this join on the reverse. The work does not seem to have been recently cleaned. A few retouches have been added across the original join in the center and in a few spots to the right of the seated figure in the lower right. The figures are in good condition, and there do not appear to be any retouches in the figures or in the landscape. There has been some discoloration in the sky and perhaps in some of the foliage in the upper right. Older retouches may be revealed if the work is cleaned, but they are unlikely to be significant.
"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."