Lot 34: ADRIAEN ISENBRANT | A triptych: The Adoration of the Magi

oil on oak panel, within the probably original engaged frame

Central panel: 73 by 47.5 cm.; 29 1/8  by 19 1/2  in.<br />Lateral wings, each: 73 by 20.5 cm.; 29 3/4  by 8 1/8  in.

oil on oak panel, within the probably original engaged frame

The following condition report is provided by Sarah Walden who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: Adriaen Isenbrandt. Triptych. The Adoration of the Magi. This triptych is on fine oak panels, which have remained essentially calm and stable. The integral frame is slightly loose at the edges, but is also well preserved overall. The main panel has one central joint, which appears long undisturbed with scarcely any sign of loss or retouching, apart from one old tiny lost flake in the stable wall. There has been a small scratch in the cheek of the Madonna, another brief scratch in the beard of the Magi kissing the Child, and a little old loss in the tree above the camels, behind on the right. A fairly recent restoration has not disturbed early retouching in a few places. The sky and upper landscape remain largely finely intact, with a slightly confused area in the middle of the lower landscape just to the left of the cavalcade. Around the man raising his arm leading the horses, the path and the surrounding green landscape have had various old retouchings. The crest of the stable wall has also had some past attention, with a few other lines of surface retouching recently. The faces of the figures have remained virtually perfectly intact and pure, as has the Christ Child throughout. The exquisite depth of colour in the drapery is also beautifully preserved, although its minute craquelure in some areas had become accentuated and has recently been muted with minuscule retouchings, visible under UV. This is particularly evident in the central brocade of the kneeling Magi. There are only a few small touches in the Madonna's blue drapery. The left wing is largely beautifully preserved, with a lovely undamaged landscape behind. The fine heads of the wise men are also largely intact, but with small losses apparently from past flaking around the heads in places. This old flaking seems to have continued down the outer left edge, where the dark madder drapery is much retouched. The right wing also has large areas of lovely intact original, including Joseph himself and much of the ox and ass. However old flaking has also affected a vertical strand of paint down the lower left side of Joseph's rich red drapery and in places down the flank of the ox and ass, however still leaving their heads and bodies widely intact. This report was not done under laboratory conditions.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

M.J. Friedländer, Die Altniederländische Malerei, vol. XI, Leiden 1933, p. 129, no. 127 (as Adriaen Isenbrant);
J.V.L. Brans, 'An unknown Triptych by Gerard David', in The Burlington Magazine, vol. 91, April 1949, pp. 105–06, reproduced figs 14–16 (as by Gerard David, in a private collection. Brans was unaware that Friedländer had published it, unillustrated, in 1933);
M.J. Friedländer, Early Netherlandish Painting, vol. XI, Leiden 1974, p. 81, no. 127, reproduced plate 105 (as Adriaen Isenbrant).

Viuda de Basabe, Bilbao, 1933:
Private collection, Switzerland;
With Thomas Agnew and Sons, New Bond Street, London (bears their label on the reverse);
From whom acquired by Walter Eberstadt on 15 May 1985, for $165,000.