Franz Christoph Janneck

Charles Goding, Esq., London;
His deceased sale, London, Christie's, 14 March 1891, lots 31-32 (to Lesser);
Capt. W.S. Mitford;
By whom sold, London, Christie's, 16 May 1952, lot 47;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 11 July 1975, lot 153.

Both copper panels are flat and stable. Their surfaces read well and the details are well preserved beneath a varnish that has slightly yellowed. There are some small areas of inconsistency to the surface, though stable, in both skies, but these are in no way distracting. Inspection under UV reveals a slightly uneven varnish that is difficult to read through in some areas. It also reveals a few small and scattered spots of retouching here and there, for example in the kneeling figure by the well of Joseph and his brothers, and in the red of the fabric being held by the figure at the right of the same painting. There may be some older looser retouching to the sky, but these are more difficult to see through the varnish. The panels might benefit from a freshening of varnish, but otherwise can be hung in their present state. Both Offered in elaborately carved giltwood frames.
"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."

This pair of highly finished coppers were painted by Franz Christoph Janneck, an eighteenth century Austrian artist active in Vienna by the 1730s.  Like his friend Johann Georg Platzer, Janneck's oeuvre consists of cabinet pictures and conversation pieces, all of which were beautifully rendered with an extraordinary attention to detail, reminiscent of the Leiden fijnschilders of the 17th and early 18th century.  The present paintings are well-paired, for they both depict biblical scenes of filial piety. The first depicts the Israelite warrior Jephthah (Judges 11: 30-40), who pledged to God that he would sacrifice the first to greet him when he returns home victorious from his battle with the Ammonites. To his dismay, the first is his daughter who is his only child.  The second scene depicts the story of Joseph (Genesis 37), who, being the favorite of his father, is scorned by his brothers, stripped of his clothing and coat, and sold by them into slavery.   This pair once belonged to London based collector Charles Goding, Esq. (circa 1809-1890).  Although most well known for his collection of Sèvres porcelain and enameled snuff boxes, Goding also amassed small collection of art, comprised primarily of rococo paintings.  Of the fifty paintings sold at his 1891 sale, eight of the works, including the present pair, were by Janneck, suggesting the Austrian master was particularly prized by Goding.