Jan Brueghel d. J. (1601-1678) und Frans Francken... Lot n° 515

Garland of flowers with scenes from the childhood of Jesus Oil on wood. 55 x 41,5 cm. The type of picture found numerous examples in this period, created in collaboration of two masters, especially from the Brueghel circle. It is always a devotional painting in which a representation of religious theme is shown within a floral wreath. This painting is an exception in that four additional cartouches are arranged around the central image. The floral wreath is placed around these five individual depictions in such a way that it forms the basic shape of a cross. The luminosity of the colors in the flowers stands out against the brownish-green background. The individual flowers are composed in a thoughtfully balanced way, both in terms of color and their respective sizes. Between the larger flowers, such as lilies, roses, tulips and daffodils add small flowers, shrub blossoms, but also red berries. The floral wreath here is considered an homage to Mary, who is honored alongside Jesus as the main figure in the scenes. The central oval painting shows Mary, her child on her lap, surrounded by clouds and angels, with God the Father above. In the lower cartouche, Mary is shown under a canopy adoring the child. Clockwise to the left follow scenes in the presence of Joseph: the holy family in front of the house - in the interior at table prayer - and: the boy Jesus in the workshop of Joseph. Here the painter shows in an original way the boy not, as handed down, with a broom to sweep the workshop, but with a cleaning cloth, which he gives to the mother. Almost identical paintings have appeared in recent decades, different from the present one only in some details. Thus Jan. 1999 at Christie's N.Y.. (Lot. 131) a version which was assigned to Frans Francken II and Andries Daniels. However, there are additional small oval cartouches with depictions of angels playing music in the four corners of the picture. An almost identical version, also with the corner cartouches was auctioned at Van Ham (Nov. 2007), there also as a work of the two Jan Brueghel with Frans Francken II. The painting here shows very finely painted insects, butterflies and beetles instead of the corner oval depictions. A.R. Note: In the prehistory, the painting has already been associated with different names, each illustrated: 1990: Christie's South Kensington, London, (Oct. 5, lot 211), attributed: "Andries Daniels". 1991: Neumeister, Munich, (Dec. 6, lot 308) ascribed as: "Flemish, Daniel Seghers Circle". 1993: Lempertz, Cologne (15. 5. Lot. 1206) as: P. van Avont and A. Daniels. 1996: Kunsthaus am Museum, Cologne (23. 10. U. 26. 10. Lot 1152, as: P. van Avont. (13403054) (11) Jan Brueghel the Younger (1601 - 1678) and Frans Francken the Younger (1581 - 1642), attributed FLORAL GARLAND WITH SCENES FROM THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS Oil on panel. 55 x 41.5 cm.