(Antwerp 1589–1626) and Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581–1642)
The Virgin and Child with angels making music and an angel holding a bowl of fruit, in the background a ring of putti before a wooded landscape, oil on panel, 49 x 65.5 cm, framed,

Certificate: Dr Ursula Härting, Hamm (1991).

Provenance: Philips auction, London, 1990; Rhinish private collection.

Literature: U. Härting, Abraham Govaerts, Der Waldmaler, Hamm 2003, p. 148, cat. raisonné, no. 123. A second version of this composition, painted on copper, is held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon. In her certificate of 1991, Ursula Härting wrote, “The combination of two specialists within one painting, such as here, of a figure painter and a landscape painter, enhanced the painterly perfection of the work in the eyes of contemporary collectors. The convincing expressive power of the figures, executed by a seasoned specialist, placed within the subtle landscape produced by another fulfils all of the visual and emotional demands of the viewer. The deep spatial configuration of the landscape with the narrow view through the backdrop of trees, the physiogonomy of the figures and the treatment of the garments suggest a possible dating for the charming picture of circa 1615/18.

Certificate: Dr Ursula Härting, Hamm (1991). Provenance: Philips auction, London, 1990; Rhinish private collection. Literature: U. Härting, Abraham Govaerts, Der Waldmaler, Hamm 2003, p. 148, cat. raisonné, no. 123. A second version of this composition