The present lot is a version of the picture in an American private collection (K. Ertz, op.cit., no. 122, fig. 23) which forms part of a series of eight of the Story of Adam (K. Ertz, op.cit. nos. 118-125, figs. 19-24). Ertz has identified fourteen other pictures, which are all characterised by the fact that they are painted on large sheets of copper and all depict scenes from the Life of Adam (Ertz, op.cit., nos 105-116). Recently another picture was added (Anon. Sale, Sotheby's Monte Carlo, 30 June 1995, lot 20, with col. ill.). Although none of the pictures is dated, Ertz has tentatively proposed a date of circa 1650. Here Brueghel took up a subject matter which he had undertaken earlier in his career; notably in the vertical composition with parrots on a branch in the foregound in the Prado (K. Ertz, op. cit., no. 88) of which there are two other versions, one in Berlin and one with Müllenmeister (Ertz, nos. 87 and 89 respectively). The composition in the latter paintings is still influenced by Brueghel I, with the human figures moved towards the background and the chief focus on the animals. The colourscheme is still bright. Brueghel was able to demonstrate his individual style in his later pictures, although the quality of execution had declined. The larger figures have now moved towards the picture plane and the colourscheme is subdued, possibly, as Ertz suggests, under Dutch influence. The staffage is, as in all other pictures of this type, by an as as yet unidentified hand

See colour illustration