Lot 139: GASPARD JACOB VAN OPSTAL

GASPARD JACOB VAN OPSTAL ANTWERP 1654 - 1717 SOPHONISBA RECEIVING THE CHALICE oil on canvas 145.5 by 150 cm.; 57 3/8 by 59 1/8 in.

Abingdon Museum (as Francesco Ferdinandi, called Imperiali).

We are grateful to Mr. Jan de Maere for proposing the attribution to Gaspar van Opstal on the basis of photographs. The painting shows Sophonisba drinking from a poisoned chalice, sent to her by her husband Massinissa who had been ordered to do so by the Roman general Scipio.