"Circle of Jan van Balen" is copy after his father, Hendrick van Balen the Elder

Mercier, from France, sells on 1 December 2019 a "Flemish School, 17th century" Rest on the flight to Egypt with John the Baptist and Angels, estimated at 600 to 800 Euro.

The painting is quite charming, and turns out to be a copy after the central panel of a triptych by Hendrick van Balen I (1573-1632) in the Cathedral of Antwerp. The copy is very small, 26 by 20 cm, compared to the original (which is 122 cm high). This partly explains the lesser quality. The price seems about right, perhaps a bit too low for a relatively uncommon work.

Ambrosius Francken

Mercier, from France, sells on 31 March 2019 (the sale with the new Rubens sketch) a "Workshop of Ambrosius Francken the Elder" Death of Sapphira, estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 Euro.

While the link with Ambrosius Francken is clear, the "workshop of" seems a bit optimistic and this is probably a "copy after". Even so, this is a minor version of an important painting of this somewhat minor artist, and deserves attention.The below three examples come from "Technical examination and conservation of the painting 'The death of Sapphira' by Ambrosius Francken II" by Damian Luzin, from 2013.

Other versions include:

 Besançon Cathedral, Ambrosius Francken I

 Krakow, unknown artist close to Ambrosius Francken I

 Dublin Castle, Ambrosius Francken II

The version for sale is obviously closer to the second and especially the third version. This would mean that it is more likely to be a Workshop of Ambrosius Francken the Younger than the Elder. 

Not all good versions were included in the Luzin article though, especially this one from the Phoenix Museum, attributed to Ambrosius Francken I, but very close to (but superior to) the Dublin version. The identical colours indicate that whoever painted the Dublin version had direct access to the Phoenix one (or a common one between them), while the one for sale is more separated and uses different colours. 

The RKD also mentions a version sold in Stockholm in 2000, but whether this is the same as any of the above versions is unclear. 

The estimate for this work is probably about right, and it was a good opportunity to show the other versions of this painting.

"17th century Flemish School" goes back to a Rogier Van der Weyden composition

Mercier, from France, sells on 25 November 2018 a "Flemish School, 17th century" "Christ with the stigmata and saint", estimated at 1,500 to 3,000 Euro.

First off, it is a trinity, with God (not a saint) holding Jesus while the Holy Ghost flies above them. God is often represented with a papal tiara.

The work is probably 16th, not 17th century, and goes back to a composition by Rogier Van der Weyden. One version is kept in the Museum M in Leuven, Belgium (said to be by Van der Weyden, but seems like a good copy to me instead).

But it is unlikely that the version for sale is based directly on this one, which is known through other copies as well. For example the above one, listed at the RKD, is attributed to Marcel Koffermans. It stays closer to the original. In the version for sale, the way God holds Jesus has been changed (not improved though), and his head is turned.

As a 16th century reinterpretation of a Van der Weyden composition (there is also a similar composition claimed to be by Robert Campin), it should fetch the estimate quite easily.

"Flemish School" still life is work by or close to Jacob van Hulsdonck

Mercier, from France, sells on 15 April 2018 a "Flemish School, early 17th century" still life, estimated at a hefty 35,000 to 40,000 Euro. 

It looks to be by or after Jacob van Hulsdonck (1582-1647), an early and important painter of such still lifes. The basket, the plums with their distinctive colour pattern, the pairs of cherries, ... The painting seems to have been cut down at the top and bottom though.

The "basket of plums and cherries" from the Orléans Museum is especially close, and aspects like the two pale plums at the top are nearly identical. It is clear that the work for sale is either by or after van Hulsdonck.

If it is by Van Hulsdonck, it is worth considerably more than the estimate, as his comparable works often go for a few 100,000 Euro instead (although being cut down at the 4 sides will again reduce the price probably).

UPDATE: a reader alerted me to a Christie's 2017 auction where this work was sold as a "Circle of Van Hulsdonck", estimated £5,000 to £8,000, and sold for £8,125. To again sell it a few months later without the correct attribution but for more than 4 times the price takes some guts! The prior sale of course seriously diminishes the chances that this one will fly.

"Follower of Colijn de Coter" is copy after Hugo Van der Goes

Mercier, from France, sells on 15 April 2018 a "Flemish School, second half of the 16th century, follower of Colijn de Coter" Descent from the Cross, estimated at 12,000 to 14,000 Euro.

It actually is a rather poor copy after Hugo Van der Goes, his Descent from the Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges (or the better version from the Cambrai City Museum, pictured here). This is by far his most often copied work, and one can buy for a similar price a much better version that what is offered here. It isn't even clear that this is actually an old copy and not a 19th century or more recent one. As an old copy, it should be worth 3,000 to 4,000 Euro. As a more recent copy, it is virtually worthless.

Colijn de Coter, slightly younger than Van der Goes, also painted in the same tradition and general Early Netherlandish style, but there is no real link between this work (or this version) and the art of De Coter.

UPDATE: a reader alerted me that I had already tweeted about this work in the past, when it was offered at Hampel last year, with the same estimate, but (of course) failed to sell. It's good to see that sometimes the sellers are smarter than the auction houses :-)

UPDATE: now for sale with art dealer Jean Moust as by an Anonymous Flemish Painter, 2nd half 16th century, priced at 11,600 Euro (costs included), so clearly cheaper than at the two auctions. Still  in my opinion way overpriced, and still no mention of Van der Goes.

UPDATE: price now (30/08/2018) lowered to 10,000 Euro, still a nit above my estimate of 3,000 to 4,000! The description now indicates that it is a copy after Van der Goes, so we're getting there in the end.

"Follower of Artgen van Leyden" is by or after Mechteld toe Boecop (update: no, it isn't...)

Mercier, from France, sells on 15 April 2018 a "Dutch School, late 16th century, follower of Artgen van Leyden" Adoration of the Magi (sic), estimated at 20,000 to 25,000 Euro.

I don't see much likeness with the works of Aertgen van Leyden, and it of course is an Adoration of the Shepherds (or a Nativity) and not an adoration of the magi, but the important question is who the work might then be by.

Looking for similar works at the always reliable RKD, I found the same composition by Mechteld toe Boecop (ca. 1520-1598), dated 1572.  This is an impressively large painting (198 by 172 cm), now in the City Museum of Kampen (Netherlands). The work for sale, while somewhat smaller, still is quite large at 154 by 123 cm. It seems unlikely that two artists would have created this large a work based on the same engraving, and I haven't found an engraving or other work that could form the basis for this, so it seems as if this is an original composition, with a copy or second version.

Mechteld toe Boecop is one of the first important Dutch female painters (excluding illuminators), and her works are very rare. Her 2 daughters also painted, but even less is known about them. The RKD lists three works by her, and three works attributed to her. 4 of these 6 are in museums (all in the Netherlands), two remain in private hands.

The work for sale has a markedly different style to the RKD version, but is much closer in many ways to other works attributed to Boecop. The "Last Supper" from the City Museum in Kampen gives me the impression that it may well be by the same artist as the work for sale.

Details of the work for sale show considerable skill, but this is coupled with less well executed parts. The work is dark and damaged, and may need a professional restoration to make its actual original state clear. I have added the same details from the known work, but I don't have a detailed image of that work sadly.

I have found an article at the Museum Kampen website though, which doesn't show the complete painting but a few details.

As it stands, it probably isn't an original Toe Boecop, but perhaps the work of one of her daughters or another follower? It certainly is very interesting and should probably be researched by an expert in Toe Boecop and her circle. If it is by her or one of her daughters, it would be a major find. Even if it isn't, it is the only copy of this particular work I know off.

The only work by her at auction was a drawing which was (as "attributed to" offered by Sotheby's Amsterdam in 2003, with an estimate of 8,000 to 12,000 Euro. It didn't sell. It then was offered at Saint-Cyr (Drouot) in 2005, as a genuine Toe Boecop, with an estimate of 800 to 1,200 Euro (ot just one tenth of the previous estimate!), and sold for a measly 600 Euro. Which seems like a real bargain, but was before the renewed interest in early female artists really boomed.

UPDATE: a reader alerts me to the website of Jean Moust (dealer in Old Master paintings), where the work was for sale for 28,000 Euro, described as "Unidentifeid Dutch Mannerist painter, ca. 1600".

UPDATE 2: The very helpful and friendly people from the City Museum of Kampen have answered my questions on Twitter, which made it clear that the Adoration (by Toecop, and the one here for sale) are copies after an original by Angelo Bronzino, known in the Netherlands through an engraving by Ghisi from 1554. This explains the same composition but the too dissimilar style. No Artgen van Leyden, no reason to estimate this so expensively. Still, it made me discover and discuss the works of Toe Boecop, who had a lot of talent (her copy after Bronzino is way better than the rather boring one for sale) and determination to make it as a female painter, and to let her daughters do the same. 

"Follower of David Vinckboons" is based on Pieter Brueghel II

Mercier, from France, sells on 15 April 2018 a "Flemish School, 17th century, follower of David Vinckboons" Hurdy-gurdy player, estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 Euro.

A hefty price tag for a "follower of", but it has a monogram DVB...

More importantly, the work is largely based on a Pieter Brueghel II from the Noordbrabants Museum in the Netherlands.

The hurdy-gurdy players are similar, but not identical.

Other elements though, like the old woman in the upper left corner, are almost identical. Some aspects are reversed and mixed up a bit.

An identical work, this time attributed directly to Vinckboons, was for sale at Christie's in 2012. It sold for £16,000. The estimate for the current one seems a bit inflated, but Breughelian works remain popular with buyers.

UPDATE: again for sale, now at Dorotheum, on 23 October 2018, estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 Euro. They mention "signed with monogram BVB..." which is strange of course, as it is a DVB (they mention David Vinckboons in the description).

UPDATE 2: sold for 27,500 Euro.

Another version sold at Sotheby's in October 2018 for £81,000. And a better version is for sale at Christie's (lot 24) on 6 December 2018, with an estimate of 290,000 Euro!

"Flemish School" is Circle of Dirck Hals

Mercier, from France, sells on 12 February 2017 a "Flemish School, 17th century" interior with merry-making company, estimated at 1,000 to 1,500 Euro. Lot 236, page 44.

It is much more likely to be a Dutch work instead of Flemish, and seems to be from the circle of Dirck Hals (1591-1656), brother of Frans Hals. He wasn't the only one to paint such scenes (some works of e.g. Hendrick Pot or Pieter Codde are quite similar), but he is the best known and most prolific in this genre.

Dirck made many of these interior scenes, but usually painted a lot better. The one for sale has a good enough composition and some aspects are done quite convincingly (the rendering of the fabrics of the clothes). But the faces are very awkward, and the anatomy is otherwise a bit lacking as well (the heads are generally too big). The painting has a distinctly unfinished look, which to modern eyes isn't a bad thing, but I'm not certain that it is really unfinished and not simply done on the cheap side.

The estimate for the work seems about right, it is charming despite its major problems; but the description could have been better. 

"Attributed to Ferdinand van Kessel" is copy after Abraham Teniers

Mercier, from France, sells on 12 February 2017 an "Attributed to Ferdinand van Kessel" Monkeys shaving Cats, a small panel (24 by 35 cm) estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 Euro. Lot 242, page 45.

This amusing scene can be found in multiple nearly identical works by Abraham Teniers. The best and best preserved one is in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, and has identical dimensions to the one here.

The work for sale seems a straight copy after the Teniers, but by a lesser painter. No good reason to attribute it to a van Kessel seems to exist. The estimate seems too high for a copy, even though it is a highly amusing work. 2,000 to 3,000 Euro seems more reasonable.

Flemish still life is Workshop of Osias Beert

Mercier, from France, sells on 11 December 2016 a "Flemish School, 17th century" still life, estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 Euro.

It is a work in the typical tyle of Osias Beert (Antwerp, 1580-1623). The work was sold as "Workshop of Osias Beert" in 2008 at Drouot (Eve), with an estimate of 10,000 to 12,000 Euro.

RKD lists another work, signed by Beert but at first glance of lower quality than the one for sale here. it was offered by an art dealer in Bruges in 1998, and has most of the elements from the current composition.

Of slightly different dimensions and a lot better quality is a work from the "Circle of Osias Beert" sold at Sotheby's in 2014. It more than doubled its estimate then and sold for £21,000.

The one for sale now is not as good as the Sotheby's one, but still better than the estimate indicates, and certainly attributable to the Circle or even the Workshop of Osias Beert. I would estimate it at 6,000 Euro.

Interesting "Garden of Eden" at Mercier

Mercier, France, sells on 16 October 2016 a "Flemish School, 17th century, circle of Nicolas de Bruyn" Garden of Eden, estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 Euro.

They correctly describe it as being related to De Bruyn (and the central figures taken from a very popular engraving of Adam and Eve by Giovanni Battista Paggi), The engraving by De Bruyn (image from the Rijksmuseum) is an Orpheus charming the animals, but by replacing the central figures it became a Garden of Eden (I really love the way these Flemish painters turned the same composition into different subjecs by changing the absolute minimum of elements, see also some posts about the Franckens).

But they fail to mention the quasi-identical but somewhat larger version of this work in the (for them nearby) Museum of Flanders in Cassel (in the historically Flemish speaking parts in the North of France). The work for sale is 88 by 112cm, the Cassel version is 103 by 125cm. The style of the works is very unusual for Flemish paintings, quite distinct from most other artists working at the time.

Oh, and the central figures aren't the only thing changed between the engraving of De Bruyn and the painting for sale. Many smaller details also are changed, but this one is the most amusing probably. Apparently not everything is allowed in the Garden of Eden!

The style of the work for sale (and the work in Cassel) is reminiscent of the style of Jacob Savery, but as he already died in 1603, he can't be responsible for these works. His son Jacob Savery II lived until ca. 1651, so perhaps we should be looking in that direction? The above "Ark" is given to both Savery I and Savery II, depending on the page you visit...

UPDATE: sold for 16,500 Euro. 

UPDATE 2: and now for sale at Dorotheum, on 17 October 2017, with an estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 Euro. They do point to the Cassel work, but not to Nicolaes de Bruyn. They also namedrop Jacob Bouttats. Interesting to see whether it will sell for more than last year (as is usual nowadays, no provenance is given when a work has been on sale so recently).  

UPDATE 3: sold for 186,000 Euro!!!