Lot Essay
The prime version is a lost original by van Cleve, a signed preparatory drawing for which is at Göttingen (see G. Marlier, Pierre Breughel le Jeune, 1969, p. 334, fig. 200), and which was itself loosely derived from Pieter Breughel the Elder's composition. Another version was offered at Sotheby's, 6 December 1995, lot 157.