Lot 96: Saint Peter standing in an Italianate landscape

Cornelis van Poelenburch (Utrecht 1594/5-1667)
Saint Peter standing in an Italianate landscape
signed with monogram 'C.P.' (lower right)
oil on copper
15.2 x 11.6 cm.
with a landscape painting on the reverse

John Henderson, Esq.; Christie's, London, 18 February 1892, lot 371 (10 gns. to Wagner).
H. Wagner, London; Christie's, London, 16 January 1925, lot 91 (£ 2.2.0 to De Boer).

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €5,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €5,001 and €400,000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €400,000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
This small copperplate recalls the well known series of saints in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, that Van Poelenburch painted after Adam Elsheimer. It is possible that also the present composition is inspired by Elsheimer's saints and may once have been part of a series, originally painted for a wooden cabinet.

We are grateful to Dr. Nicolette Sluijter-Seijffert for confirming the attribution after inspection of the original (verbal communication, 21 September 2007).