Lot Essay
This scene was most likely based on a print made after the original by Rubens. Many versions exist, differing in colour scheme, border design and the way the subjects are painted. F. et N. Hervouet and Y. Bruneau, op. cit., p.310, illustrate five such plates, including an example identical to the present, no. 13.71.
For further similar examples see D. S. Howard, op.cit., p.329; M. Beurdeley, op.cit., p.179, cat.130, and for a more prudishly dressed example, ibid. no.131; W. J .A. Sargent, op.cit., 1989, pp.168-169, no.60, for a discussion of the scene and further example dated 1745-1750 but with a different border; D. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, op.cit., no.225, for a plate from the Bal Collection in the Zeeuss Museum, Middleberg; J. A. Lloyd. Hyde, op.cit., pl.43, for a similar plate in the collection of A. O. Knudsen; and G. Lang, op.cit., pl.31, no.30.
Very similar examples were sold, Christie's New York, 22 May 1985, lot 106, 107; and Christie's London, 7 November 1994, lot 170.
For further similar examples see D. S. Howard, op.cit., p.329; M. Beurdeley, op.cit., p.179, cat.130, and for a more prudishly dressed example, ibid. no.131; W. J .A. Sargent, op.cit., 1989, pp.168-169, no.60, for a discussion of the scene and further example dated 1745-1750 but with a different border; D. F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, op.cit., no.225, for a plate from the Bal Collection in the Zeeuss Museum, Middleberg; J. A. Lloyd. Hyde, op.cit., pl.43, for a similar plate in the collection of A. O. Knudsen; and G. Lang, op.cit., pl.31, no.30.
Very similar examples were sold, Christie's New York, 22 May 1985, lot 106, 107; and Christie's London, 7 November 1994, lot 170.