Lot 109: The Virgin and Child with the Infants Saint John the Baptist and James, before a draped curtain, a landscape beyond

Vincent Sellaer (active Mechelen circa 1538) The Virgin and Child with the Infants Saint John the Baptist and James, before a draped curtain, a landscape beyond oil on panel 37 x 27 in. (94 x 68.6 cm.) in a 17th century Italian carved and gilded Cassetta frame

94 x 68.6 cm.

circa 1538

Acquired in 1954 on the advice of Dr. Hubertus von Sonnenburg by a private collector and by descent to the following, Anonymous sale; Sotheby’s, London, 8 December 2005, lot 209 (£32,400), when acquired by the present owner.

The Flemish painter Vincent Sellaer was, with Michiel Coxcie, the principal artist active in the mid-16th century in Mechelen, a city which had become the cultural centre of the Netherlands during the reign of Margaret of Austria. He has been convincingly identified with Vincent Geldersman who, according to van Mander, was known for his depictions of women from the Bible and mythology. It has been suggested that he may have visited France and worked at Fontainebleau. Additionally, a Lombard influence in his work would seem to indicate time spent in Northern Italy. Only one signed picture by him is known (Munich, Alte Pinakothek), dated 1538, which has led to attributions of several compositions, including Caritas (Madrid, Prado), the Holy Kinship (Stockholm, Nationalmuseum) and Judith (Berne, Kunstmuseum).