Attributed to Sebastien Bourdon (1616-1671)

The Flight into Egypt; and The Return to Canaan

Details

Attributed to Sebastien Bourdon (1616-1671)
The Flight into Egypt; and The Return to Canaan
oil on paper laid down on panel
10 x 17.5/8in. (26.6 x 44.7cm.)
A Pair (2)

Provenance

The Hon. John Spencer (d. 1746), and thence by descent to
The Earls of Spencer, Althorp, Northamptonshire, England.
with Artemis, London.

Literature

G. Knapton, Catalogue of the Pictures at Althorpe and Wimbledon belonging to the late Honble Mr Spencer, 1746, nos. 157-8: 'The Flight into Egypt after P. Bourden a Sketch' and 'Its Companion by Do', as hanging in the Dressing Room at Althorp'. Catalogue of the Pictures at Althorp House, 1851, nos. 440 and 449. K.J. Garlick, 'A Catalogue of the Pictures at Althorp', Walpole Society, XLV, 1974-6, p. 8, nos. 56-7.

Lot Essay

Although no large scale paintings relating to these sketches are known, both compositions are closely related to two undated engravings by Bourdon himself now in the Bibliothque Nationale, Paris (for the Flight into Egypt see, for example, J. Thuillier, Serisier collectionneur et la Fuite en Egypte de Poussin, in Revue de L'Art, 105, 1994, p. 38, illustrated fig. 12).

The present works are accompanied by a copy of the letter confirming an attribution to Bourdon from M. Patrick Michel, dated 13 November 1992.