Thursday 26 November 2015

A Pieter Bruegel tapestry?

Heritage auctions, from the US, sells on 18 December 2015 a "Flemish Baroque tapestry, after Pieter Bruegel, 17th Century" estimated at at least $5,000.

I am not aware of any old tapestry after or designed by Bruegel, nor of any Bruegel drawing or painting depicting this scene, so (assuming my search was somewhat comprehensive) this would be a major find, and the estimate an absolute bargain.

However, nothing in the style of the tapestry remind sme of Bruegel. The design looks to be the right period, with some details which can be found somewhat similar in works by one of the Bruegels (like the pan holding the blood of the boar), but e.g. this detail can also be found in a miniature by Simon Bening.

The design is awkward in details, it looks somehow "off", not consistent enough for what should have been a major work. Is it a later pastiche? My gut feeling says "yes", but I'm no tapestry expert. Calling this "after Pieter Bruegel" seems to be completely wrong though, and I would need strong evidence to change my mind.

Value of it: if it is 17th century, it should be worth more than the estimate, as tapestries of this size aren't an everyday occurrence. If it is 19th century or so, then the work put into it should be worth something, but no artistic value should be given to it. And if it is indeed somehow after Bruegel, there is no way you can have this for less than $100,000.

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