"Northern School" is a copy after the Master of the Female Half-lengths

Prunier, French auction house, sells on 25 October 2015 as lot 142 a "Northern School" Young girl writing, a small oil on panel (25 by 20 cm) estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 Euro.

While of lesser quality, it is very reminiscent of the charming works of the Master of Female Half-Lenghts, one of the more important notname Flemish Masters. The RKD lists a number of closely related works, e.g. one sold at Christie's in 1993 and one from the Museum of Krakow (pictured).

But by far the closest is a work sold last year at Sotheby's for a whopping 275,000 Euro. It is immediately obvious that the one for sale now is a straight copy of that work, but lacking the talent or patience to add the realism, the details, the finishing. Still, this type doesn't turn up all that often, and it should be worth the estimate for that reason alone, and for the undeniable charm of the topic and execution.

UPDATE: apparently not sold with the poor description, so now it is for sale at Audap-Mirabaud on 1 April 2016 with the correct  "Follower of the Master of the Female Half-Lengths" description and a reasonable estimate of 2,000 to 3,000 Euro.

UPDATE 2: sold for 2,200 Euro.