Lot 17: ADRIAEN PIETERSZ. VAN DE VENNE

ADRIAEN PIETERSZ. VAN DE VENNE DELFT 1589 - 1662 THE HAGUE THE FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR oil on panel 60 by 87.3 cm.

L.J. Bol, 'Een Middelburgse Brueghel-groep', in Oud Holland, vol. 73, no. III, Amsterdam 1958, pp. 137 no. 7 and 144, reproduced fig. 23;
L.J. Bol, 'Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne, schilder en teyckenaer', in Tableau, vol. 6, no. 3, December 1983/January 1984, p. 62, reproduced fig. 98;
L.J. Bol, Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne. Painter and Draughtsman, Doornspijk 1989, pp. 106, 110 (note 23), 138, 140, reproduced p. 105, figs. 95 and 96.

J. Verwiel, Heusden, 1940;
With Esther Surrey, The Hague, circa 1942;
Anonymous sale, The Hague, Van Marle & Bignell, 29 April 1947, lot 515;
Anonymous sale, The Hague, Van Marle & Bignell, 18 June 1957, lot 153.

Although Van de Venne is mostly known for his monochrome illustrations of proverbs and his emblematic and moral images, from 1630 onwards, he also painted a number of biblical scenes, such as this lot. Van de Venne has masterly enlivened this composition, mainly painted in nuances of brown with only touches of subdued colours, with soft glimmering candlelight and subtle illumination of the figures.