Marcellus Coffermans, 1520/ 30 Antwerpen - um... Lot n° 257 bis

Pair of paintings THE BIRTH OF CHRIST and SAMUEL AS A JUDGE Oil on wood. 14 x 9 cm and 13,5 x 9,5 cm. On the second painting inscribed ".z.Samuelis.." Je in partially gilded wooden frame. The first painting shows the birth of Christ in a stable-like interior: on a stone block, of which two other parts lie on the floor, a smaller wooden block on which straw lies and on it on a white sheet the naked newborn baby Jesus. To the right of him kneeling Mary in a long red robe with a blue cloak, her hands cautiously together and looking down lovingly on the child. Behind her the standing Joseph with bright red coat holding a stick in his left hand. To the left and behind the infant Jesus angels with large wings in colorful robes. In the background of the stable, an ox and donkey can be seen. Through the windows and the door the view falls on a landscape with shepherds and their sheep, to whom just in a bright ray of light falling from heaven a hovering angel appears, announcing to them the birth of Christ. The second painting shows Samuel sitting on a throne in a magnificent golden embroidered robe in a hall to judge a man standing in front of him and a soldier. In the background, against a scenic vista, a multitude of men in long robes attending the judgment. In the foreground also a standing man with a red, slit jacket, holding a white dog sitting on the ground on a leash. Many-figured quality painting, the figures with fine faces and partly splendid colored costumes. Isolated small retouchings. Provenance: P. de Boer, Amsterdam. Private collection Monaco. Note: Coffermans, who was a master in the Antwerp painters' guild since 1539, was not interested in the Italian Mannerism of his time, but was mainly inspired by the works of artists who were active two or three generations before him. His depiction of the Nativity is decidedly traditional. (1302163) Marcellus Coffermans, 1520/ 30 Antwerp - ca. 1578 ibid., attributed / circle of Pair of paintings THE BIRTH OF CHRIST and SAMUEL AS A JUDGE Oil on panel. 14 x 9 cm and 13.5 x 9.5 cm. On the second painting inscribed ".z.Samuelis.." Provenance: P. de Boer, Amsterdam. Private collection Monaco.