ABEL GRIMMER | Interior of Antwerp cathedral, with figures worshipping and promenading

Major William Dalziel Mackenzie (1840–1928), Fawley Court, Henley-on-Thames;
With Thomas Agnew & Sons, London;
With Leonard Koetser Gallery, London, March 1957 (when illustrated in The London News, 23 March 1957; as Pieter Neefs I and Frans Francken II);
With Arthur Tooth & Sons, from whom bought, 17 April 1957, by
S.O.F. Bateman Esq., London; 
Thence by descent to the present owner.

London, Leonard Koetser Gallery, Exhibition of fine Dutch and Italian paintings, 14 March – 12 April 1957, no. 9 (as Pieter Neefs I and Frans Francken II).

The panel is cradled, flat and stable, and appears to be formed of four horizontal planks, the joins and visible retouchings along which are visible from the front in raking light. The paint surface is relatively clean and the varnish only slightly discoloured. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the retouching along the joins, as well as a handful of retouchings scattered in the upper quarter of the panel, and a few spot retouchings in the vaulting, centre, and in the floor and figures, lower centre. The work is in otherwise good condition. Offered in a plain wooden frame with a gilt fillet, in good condition.
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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 painting is one of the largest and most ambitious of Grimmer's church interiors. Having commenced his career following the example of his father Jacob and Pieter Bruegel the Elder in depicting country views, allegories and proverbs, Abel Grimmer began painting church interiors in 1595, inspired by the work of the pioneer in this genre, Hendrick van Steenwijck, who was also living in Antwerp until 1586. Very few of Grimmer's interior scenes are signed and dated, leading to many misattributions, as is the case with the present work, previously believed to be by Pieter Neefs I with figures by Frans Francken II.