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Lot Essay
Brueghels' original is lost, it is recorded by an engraving by Lucas Vorsterman of circa 1620 (Hollstein, Dutch and Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts 1450-1700, XLIII, p.123, no.126, ill.). Numerous versions of it were painted by both Jan Brueghel I and Pieter Brueghel II, for which see G. Marlier, Pierre Brueghel le Jeune, 1969, pp.271/4, nos.1-25, and K. Ertz, Pieter Brueghel der Jüngere, 2000, II, pp.787/92, nos.1054-88).
Professor R.A.d'Hulst, in a letter dated 24 March 1981, dates the present lot to circa 1620/30 and believes that it probably reflects Rubens' lost painting after the composition, which is recorded in the inventory of 1640, drawn up after the artist's death (see G. Marlier, op.cit., p.265). Dr. H. Vlieghe, in a fax dated 21 September 2000, judging from a photograph, confirmed d'Hulsts opinion.
Hollstein's suggestion that Vorsterman's engraving is based on the Rubens copy rather than the Brueghel, may well be correct.
G. Marlier, op.cit., p.272, no.10, records another Rubensesque copy in the Castle at Kromeriz, which K. Ertz, op.cit., p.791, no.A1080, regards as the work of Jan Brueghel II.
Rubens's interest and admiration of Brueghel's art are well documented.
Professor R.A.d'Hulst, in a letter dated 24 March 1981, dates the present lot to circa 1620/30 and believes that it probably reflects Rubens' lost painting after the composition, which is recorded in the inventory of 1640, drawn up after the artist's death (see G. Marlier, op.cit., p.265). Dr. H. Vlieghe, in a fax dated 21 September 2000, judging from a photograph, confirmed d'Hulsts opinion.
Hollstein's suggestion that Vorsterman's engraving is based on the Rubens copy rather than the Brueghel, may well be correct.
G. Marlier, op.cit., p.272, no.10, records another Rubensesque copy in the Castle at Kromeriz, which K. Ertz, op.cit., p.791, no.A1080, regards as the work of Jan Brueghel II.
Rubens's interest and admiration of Brueghel's art are well documented.