Lot 81: ATTRIBUTED TO ARTUS WOLFAERTS

ATTRIBUTED TO ARTUS WOLFAERTS ANTWERP 1581 - 1641 BEARDED MAN COOKING SAUSAGES oil on canvas 45 by 35 1/8 in.; 114.3 by 89.2 cm

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 1 June 1973, lot 20 (as by Pieter Snyers).

This unusual image would appear to be an allegory of the season of winter. It depicts a man in an exotic costume— with a large fur hat on his head and matching broad collar—reminiscent of Central or Eastern European dress. He is cooking sausages over a brazier next to an assortment of winter vegetables. Another version of the composition by Wolfaerts, which bore a false Honthorst signature, was sold at Christie's, London, April 19, 2002, lot 17. That version, also on canvas, is very similar, with the only significant variation being the depiction of the background at right: in the present canvas, a drape has been pulled back to show a hazy, cold landscape with a bear tree; the other version is set in a room, with a snow covered village in the distance.