Interesting lots at Bonte

Carlo Bonte, from Belgium, sells on 7 December some interesting works.

Lot 486 is a "16th century" "portrait of Petrus van Bergh", a msall oil on panel (20 by 22 cm) estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 Euro.

While the sitter is clearly named (and a weapon given as well), it is weird that the portrait shows the Order of the Golden Fleece, but that I can't find any trace of a "Van Bergh" who was a member of that highly selective order in those years.

Looking further reveals that this painting is a copy after the Master of the Magdalen Legend (as found through RKD), a work last seen in 1931 (and then sold as "Barend van Orley") which shows an unknown, unnamed member of the Order. The painting for sale is not only clearly inferior, it also is smaller than the original one, so it isn't the same work in a badly overpainted version. Whether cleaning it will remove more than just the incorrect name, and perhaps reveal a stronger copy of the original, remains to be seen. But it is a good reminder that while inscriptions may be a good pointer, they can also be very misleading.

Lot 488 is a "17th century" Saint Peter, estimated at 1,200 to 1,800 Euro.

The work seems closely related to or inspired by a Saint Peter by (the Workshop of) Rubens, in the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Same keys, same dress, similar head, as if someone else was drawing the same model at the same time but from a different angle. Probably just a coincidence, but still quite a strong one. Perhaps a copy after an unknown (to me that is) Rubens?

Lot 497 is a  "17th or 18th century" Holy Family with angels, estimated at 3,000 to 5,000 Euro.

It seems to be made by a follower of Pieter van Avont and Abraham Govaerts, comparable to (but of lesser quality than) one that was sold at Lempertz in 2010 for 10,800 Euro.

Lot 529, a "Flemish, 16th century" rest on the flight to Egypt, is estimated at 5,000 to 8,000 Euro.

It is from the workshop or a close follower of the Master of the Parrot, and can be compared (though reversed) to one sold at Christie's this year, which fetched £13,750 (but was better than the one for sale here) and another from Christie's sold in 2005, which went for £38,400 (note the eponymous parrot and the fruit bowl in this example).

Lot 531 is a "16th century" Adoration of the Magi, estimated at 2,000 to 4,000 Euro. It has had a quite fascinating restoration. At first I thought there was some digital error in the image, but it turns out to be a split in the painting which hasn't been completely closed, and which has some white bands behind it. Almost like a piece of modern art!