Peasants stealing Fledglings from a Bird's Nest

Two autograph variants of the present composition were sold in these Rooms, 11 Dec. 1981, lot 98 and 13 Dec. 1991, lot 119, and a related drawing was sold at Leipzig, 25 April 1921, lot 187 and pl. XIX. The subject was engraved by Vinckboons, in reverse and with extensive variations, notably the inclusion of a dog in the centre and a mother and children in the right foreground. The engraving is signed and dated 1606 and displays in a cartouche the inscription: 'Die den nest weet die wethen Maer die heim rooft die heeften' (He who knows where the nest is knows where to take it from. But he who takes it has it).