Monday 18 March 2019

Master of the Prodigal Son, of the Parrot, or of the Female Half-lengths?

Rops, from Belgium, sells on 1 April 2019 a "Master of the Prodigal Son" Virgin and Child, estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 Euro.

This work is one of many based on a composition by Pieter Coecke van Aelst, and has been reused mainly by three closely related masters, the Master of the Prodigal Son, the Master of the Female Half-Lengths, and the Master of the Parrot.

A more elaborate and sculptural version by the Master of the Parrot was sold at Lempertz in 2014 for 62,000 Euro.

A variation on this one was sold over the years as either Parrot or Prodigal Son, and fetched in 2010 at Hampel 48,000 Euro, according to the RKD.

Another version by the Parrot master was sold at Christie's in 2005 for £38,000.

According to the RKD, Christie's sold a version by the Master of the Female Half Lengths in 1976. This one seems a lot closer to the work for sale now, especially in the execution of the face of the Virgin.

Philadelphia Museum of Art


Rijksmuseum


I have not immediately found a version by the Master of the Prodigal Son. In general, his work (like that of the Master of the Parrot) is more sculptural, both in colouring and in the lack of sfumato, while the Master of the Female Half Lengths creates a much softer, smokier effect, with more natural flesh colours.

I would estimate the one for sale at 12,000 Euro.

UPDATE: sold for 15,000 Euro.

1 comment:

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