Lot 262: Frans Ykens (Antwerp 1601 - 1693 Brussels),

Frans Ykens (Antwerp 1601 - 1693 Brussels), attributed to The Virgin and Child surrounded by a wreath of flowers and fruit, in front of a stone cartouche, oil on panel, 83 x 57 cm, with the brand of the City of Antwerp to the reverse side of the panel, framed, (Wo) Frans Ykens was a Flemish painter producing primarily still lifes. He was a student of Osias Beert the Elder. Ykens had numerous pupils himself. Rubens, who was his friend, owned several still lifes by this artist, which are still on display in his house in Antwerp. We thank Fred Meijer (RKD, The Hague) for confirming this attribution. Dr. Meijer writes: "This painting appears to be somewhat superior in quality, however, than a version that was sold in Amsterdam in 1995 (see RKD image 6497) and in which the figures in the medallion have exactly the same pose but have transformed into Venus and Cupid." (letter of 5 Feb. 2007)