"German or Flemish, ca. 1700 Virgin and Child" is copy after one of the most influential works ever

Hargesheimer, from Germany, sells on  22 September 2018 a "German / Flemish School, about 1700" Virgin and Child, estimated at 3,000 Euro.

It is a late copy of the so-called "Cambrai Madonna", an early 14th century Italian Virgin and Child which in 1450 arrived in Cambrai, in the north of France. While it is a rather typical example of the Italian (Sienese) painting of the period, it was completely new for Northern Europe, and was soon venerated as an original painting by Saint Luke (i.e. a true portrait of Mary and Jesus, not a later artistic interpretation). The cathedral where it was on display became a center of pilgrimage, and many copies of the painting were made as well. It also influenced many of the Early Netherlandish Virgin and Childs by the major masters, and as such played an important role in the development and spread of this style.

It is hard to judge when or where the version for sale was made, since this work has been copied again and again over the centuries. The estimate seems about right though, as it is a good piece of evidence of the impact of one of the most important works in art history when one considers its influence on a whole style.