AFTER SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS | The Discovery of the Infant Erichthonius by the Daughters of Cecrops

oil on oak panel, unframed This panel is a period copy after a painting by Rubens from 'circa' 1632–33 of which only a fragment survives in the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin (inv. no. AMAM 1944.96)1. The original painting was owned by the duc de Richelieu in the 1670s, and was cut down sometime between 1677 and 1786. Its original format however is recorded in various copies, such as the present work. 1 http://www2.oberlin.edu/amam/Rubens.htm#E

All paintings available to view at the Sotheby’s Greenford Park warehouse, 5 - 7 and 10 – 13 September (10 - 4pm), by appointment. The panel is cradled, and has formerly split in horizontal cracks visible running from the left and right margins, with one in the centre running the width of the panel. There are a number of pin prick losses associated with these, as well as losses in the upper left corner, in the centre of the right margin, and more extensively in the lower right quarter of the picture in the figure's yellow dress. The paint surface is otherwise dirty and the varnish is discoloured. There are discoloured retouchings visible along the central split, along the lower margin, and in the flesh tones of the figure on the left. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a handful of further retouchings scattered in the background and around the blue robe of the figure lower left.
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