GUILLIAM FORCHONDT THE YOUNGER | An allegory of abundance with the four elements

The copper support is stable. The lovely image reads well beneath the a slightly discolored varnish, and retains much of its vibrant coloring. There are a few small areas of finely patterned craquelure concentrated in the bodies of some of the figures, though these are not distracting. A few vertical streaks are faintly visible in the background at upper left. Inspection under UV reveals a milky varnish that is difficult to read through and fluoresces unevenly in areas (for example, lower right corner). It also reveals a few fine strokes of recent retouching to address the aforementioned streaks, as well as a spot of retouching above the central figure and in the background at center left. A few additional fine strokes and small dots of more recent retouching are scattered here and there throughout, for example in the body of the figure at lower left and a few in the upper body of standing figure at center. Painting is offered in a carved darkwood frame.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Guilliam Forchondt the Younger worked as an artist and a dealer in the second half of the seventeenth century. Like his father, he actively exported his small copper paintings, many of which were inspired by the work of Antwerp artists, to Spain and Latin America.  The present work follows a larger painting from 1606 by Jan Brueghel the Elder and Hendrik de Clerck in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (inv. no. P001401).¹ 1. Oil on copper, 51 by 64 cm.