A Concert of Birds

This composition probably derives from an unknown prototype by Jan Brueghel I. Several of the birds seen in this picture can also be found in Jan Brueghel I's Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (painted in collaboration with Rubens) now in the Mauritshuis, no. 253, and in a study of birds by Jan Breughel II (see K. Ertz, Jan Brueghel the Younger, Freren, 1981, I, p. 507, no. 337, illustrated), which was doubtlessly based on examples by his father.

Jan Brueghel II, who maintained the studio of his father after the latter's death in 1625, probably employed a number of studio assistants who imitated his father's compositions.

We are grateful to Mr. Fred Meijer for his assistance in cataloguing in this lot.