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Lot 83: JAN BOECKHORST (1605-1668)

Est: €6,000 EUR - €8,000 EURPassed
Bernaerts AuctioneersAntwerp, BelgiumFebruary 16, 2021

Item Overview

Description

The Erythraean Sibyl. Canvas.
Inscription on the paper to the right 'JACEBIT / IN FOENO / AGNUS / ERY / THREA'. Numbered 393 at the bottom.

Provenance:
Collection Marquis Leganés, Diego Mexía Felípez de Guzmán (ca. 1580-1655), mentioned in the inventory of 1637, 1642 and 1655 with number 393 (cf. José Juan Pérez Preciado, El Marqueés de Leganés y les artes, 2010, II, pp. 294-295, nr. 393);
Palace de San Bernardo 1655, nr. 393;
Count of Altamira, 1726, nr. 393;
José de Madrazo 1856, nr. 665;
Marquis of Salamanca 1861, Quinta Vista Alegre, nr. 624;
Marquis of Salamanca 1868, nr. 665;
Art trade Madrid, 2000;
Private collection, Antwerp;
Bernaerts Auctioneers, Antwerp, 17-18.11.2003, lot 153;
Bernaerts Auctioneers, Antwerp, 22.11.2004, lot 131;
Private collection, Antwerp

In Greco-Roman antiquity, sibyls were female oracles. In both Hellenistic Judaism and Christianity, they were regarded as the pagan equivalents of Israel's prophets. Sometimes they are described as a group of ten, sometimes of twelve. The Roman scholar Varro Reatinus (116-27 BC) mentions ten: those of Persia, of Libya, of Delphi, of Cimmeria, of Erythrae, of Samos, of Cumae, of the Hellespont, of Phrygia and of Tibur. Other writers also mention the sibyls of Agrippa and Marpessos.

In this painting, Jan Boekhorst depicts the Sibyl of Erythrea. The Erythraean Sybil is also present in two of the most iconic artworks in art history: on the top left of the closed panel of the and in the ceiling painting in the by Migelangelo (1508-1512).

This painting is part of a series of twelve sibyls by Jan Boeckhorst. We know three other sibyl portraits with approximately the same dimensions so far. A painting of Phyrgean sibyl was sold at . The Phyrgean sibyl was on view at TEFAF in 2019 at . A painting featuring the sibyl of Cimmeria was sold at . Finally, it seems that another Sibyl of Erythrea can be placed within this series. A portrait depicting a younger Sybil with long hair was sold at and is now housed at the collection of the Phoebus Foundation in Antwerp (cf. Hans Vlieghe, Apollo op de Zonnewagen, Phoebus Focus VIII, p. 24-25).

It is not clear how the two versions of the Erythrean sibyls by Jan Boeckhorst relate to each other. Possibly Boeckhorst created two 'sibyl series'. An indication of a second series is a description of another sibyl series by Jan Boeckhorst in the inventory Jeremias Wildens (1621-1652) of 1653: 'De Tweelff Sibillen van Joannes Binckhorst N° 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217' (cf. E. Duverger, Antwerp Art Inventories of the 17th Century, vol. VI, 1992, p. 484).

Jan van den Hoecke (1611-1651) also painted a sibyl series on canvases with approximately the same measurements. Therefore, Van den Hoecke's sibyls were often linked to the paintings of Jan Boeckhorst. In 1990 Hans Vlieghe identified Van den Hoecke's series which is painted in a more 'frivolous' manner, using more vibrant colours (cf. Hans Vlieghe, 'Nicht Jan Boeckhorst sondern Jan van den Hoecke', Westfalen, no. 68, 1990, pp. 166-183; Jahel Sanzsalazar, 'Jan van den Hoecke (1611-1651), el pintor de Sibilas: éxito, inspiración y dispersión de una iconografía muy personal, Philostrato. Revista de Historia y Arte', no. 5, 2019, pp. 5-32).

We are thankful to Dr Bert Schepers (Centrum Rubenianum) and Prof. Emerit. Hans Vlieghe for the attribution and the assistance in cataloguing this lot.


Beschrijving NL
De Eritreïsche sibille. Doek. Opschrift op papier rechts 'JACEBIT / IN FOENO / AGNUS / ERY / THREA' Onderaan genummerd in grijze verf '393'.

Herkomst:
Collectie van de Markies van Leganés, militair en politicus Diego Mexía Felípez de Guzmán (ca. 1580-1655), opgenomen in het inventaris van 1637, 1642 en 1655 onder nummer 393 (cf. José Juan Pérez Preciado, El Marqueés de Leganés y les artes, 2010, II, pp. 294-295, nr. 393 met herkomstvermelding tot anno 2000);
Paleis de San Bernardo 1655, nr. 393;
Graaf van Altamira, 1726, nr. 393;
José de Madrazo 1856, nr. 665;
Markies van Salamanca 1861, Quinta Vista Alegre, nr. 624;
Markies van Salamanca 1868, nr. 665;
Kunsthandel Madrid, 2000;
Private collectie Antwerpen;
Veiling Bernaerts, Antwerpen, 17-18.11.2003, lot 153;
Veiling Bernaerts, Antwerpen, 22.11.2004, lot 131;
Private collectie, Antwerpen

In de Grieks-Romeinse oudheid waren sibillen vrouwelijke orakels. Zowel in het hellenistische jodendom als christendom werden zij beschouwd als de heidense equivalenten van Israëls profeten. Soms worden ze beschreven als een groep van tien, soms van twaalf. De Romeinse geleerde Varro Reatinus (116-27 v.Chr.) noemt er tien: die van Perzië, van Libië, van Delphi, van Cimmeria, van Erythrae, van Samos, van Cumae, van de Hellespont, van Frygië en van Tibur. Andere schrijvers vermelden nog de sibillen van Agrippa en van Marpessos.

In dit schilderij beeldt Jan Boekhorst de sibille van Erythrea af. We vinden deze sibille ook terug op twee van de meest iconische werken uit de kunstgeschiedenis, namelijk links boven op gesloten paneel van het en in de gewelfschildering van de door Migelangelo (1508-1512).

Dit schilderij maakt deel uit van een serie van twaalf sibillen van Jan Boeckhorst. Van deze reeks zijn drie andere schilderijen gekend met ongeveer dezelfde afmetingen. Een schilderij van Cumëische sibille werd in 2002 bij verkocht. De Phyrgeïsche sibille was in 2019 bij op de TEFAF te bezichtigen. Een schilderij met de sibille van Cimmeria werd in 2019 bij verkocht. Tenslotte lijkt het er op dat er nog een andere sibille van Erythrea binnen deze reeks geplaatst kan worden. Deze werd in 2016 bij verkocht en bevindt zich nu in de collectie van het de Phoebus Foundation in Antwerpen (cf. Hans Vlieghe, Apollo op de Zonnewagen, Phoebus Focus VIII, p. 24-25).

Het is niet duidelijk hoe de twee versies van de Erythreïsche sibillen door Jan Boeckhorst zich tegenover elkaar verhouden. Mogelijk bestonden er twee 'sibillen-reeksen' van zijn hand. Zo wordt er in 1653 ook vermelding gemaakt van een reeks sibillen in het inventaris van Jeremias Wildens (1621-1652), de zoon van vermaard landschapsschilder Jan Wildens (1584-1653). De reeks werd als volgt in dit inventaris opgenomen: 'De Tweelff Sibillen van Joannes Binckhorst N° 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217' (cf. E. Duverger, Antwerpse Kunstinventarissen van de 17de-eeuw, vol. VI, 1992, p. 484).

Ook Jan van den Hoecke (1611-1651) schilderde een reeks van de sibillen op doeken met ongeveer dezelfde afmetingen (cf. Hans Vlieghe, ‘Nicht Jan Boeckhorst sondern Jan van den Hoecke’, Westfalen, nr. 68, 1990, pp. 166-183; Jahel Sanzsalazar, ‘Jan van den Hoecke (1611–1651), el pintor de Sibilas: éxito, inspiración y dispersión de una iconografía muy personal, Philostrato. Revista de Historia y Arte’, nr. 5, 2019, pp. 5-32). Deze reeks is iets ‘frivoler’ geschilderd terwijl Boeckhorst’ sibillen compositorisch meer uitgepuurd zijn.

Wij danken Dr. Bert Schepers (Centrum Rubenianum) en Prof. dr. em. Hans Vlieghe voor het identificeren van de kunstenaar en de assistentie bij het catalogeren van dit lot.


Description FR
La Sybille d'Eritrée. Toile.
Légende: 'JACEBIT / IN FOENO / AGNUS / ERY / THREA'
Numéroté 393.

Provenance:
Collection du marquis de Leganés, Diego Mexía Felípez de Guzmán (v. 1580-1655), incluse dans les inventaires de 1637, 1642 et 1655 sous le numéro 393 (cf. José Juan Pérez Preciado, El Marqueés de Leganés y les artes, 2010, II, pp. 294-295, n° 393) ;
Palais de San Bernardo 1655, nr. 393;
Compte de Altamira, 1726, nr. 393;
José de Madrazo 1856, nr. 665;
Marquis de Salamanca 1861, Quinta Vista Alegre, nr. 624;
Marquis de Salamanca 1868, nr. 665;
Galerie ou un vente à Madrid, 2000;
Collection privée, Anvers;
Vente Bernaerts, Anvers, 17-18.11.2003, lot 153;
Vente Bernaerts, Anvers, 22.11.2004, lot 131;
Collection privée, Anvers


Dimensions

109.5 x 84 cm (122 x 98 cm)

Artist or Maker

Literature

José Juan Pérez Preciado, EL MARQUÉS DE LEGANÉS Y LAS ARTES, ongepubliceerd proefschrift, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2010, pp. 294-295. Online available.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

For smaller items we can assist you in packaging and shipping. For larger or valuable pieces we kindly request you to organize your own transport.
However, we can recommend you some shipping companies.
The costs and risks for packaging and shipping are always your responsibility. Please contact shipping@bernaerts.be.

Auction Details

Wintertales Part I - Old & Romantic Masters

by
Bernaerts Auctioneers
February 16, 2021, 02:00 PM CET

Verlatstraat 16-22, Antwerp, Antwerp, 2000, BE

Terms

Buyer's Premium

28.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
€0€5€1
€6€9€2
€10€99€10
€100€399€20
€400€999€50
€1,000€1,999€100
€2,000€4,999€200
€5,000€9,999€500
€10,000€19,999€1,000
€20,000€49,999€2,000
€50,000+€5,000

Terms & Conditions

The joint stock company Auction House Bernaerts JSC (hereafter BERNAERTS AUCTIONEERS) announces to the participants of the sale that the sale will be held according to the terms and conditions listed below and any participation in the auctions implies the unconditional acceptance of the present conditions of sale.

1. Auction day
The auction takes place through an oral or written bid. The highest bidder for each item is the successful bidder who will purchase the item against cash payment. At the time of the purchase and to the extent that he did not previously, the potential purchaser must register by presenting proof of identity and indicating his name, address, telephone number, the number of his identity card and his signature on the registration form of BERNAERTS AUCTIONEERS. In return, he will receive a paddle with its personal number to participate in the auction. In other cases, the purchaser presents himself to complete and sign his entry form, after which he will receive a paddle with his personal number. Online sale bidders must register at least 5 hours before the beginning of the auction by filling the form on My Account. For each new online sale, the buyer must register by accepting the Terms and Conditions of sale.

2. Commitment of the bidder
By its offer, the bidder commits himself to purchase the auction items for sale at the price he has proposed. He nevertheless has no say when the sale is suspended for any reason at all.

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The judicial officer maintains order during the sale. It is he who ultimately rules all possible disputes born of the sale, including the bidding increments and the designation of the highest bidder. The auctioneer has, among others, the right to set the minimum price of each offer, not to accept the bid of persons that he does not know or whose identity or creditworthiness not seemed proven - in which case, the previous bidder remains bound-, to suspend the sale, without having to explain thereon to the bidders, to split, join or withdraw any item. In case of obstruction or disruption of the auction by violence, threat or a fraudulent way, the provisions of article 314 of the Penal Code will be applied. In case a price limit has been set by the provider/seller, BERNAERTS AUCTIONEERS has the right to bid on behalf of the provider/seller. BERNAERTS AUCTIONEERS reserves the right to refuse any offer made by unknown buyers.

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The successful bid does not imply any guarantee on the part of the auctioneer responsible for the sale nor on the part of the acting judicial officer, concerning among others the authenticity. Items and art objects are sold in the state in which they are at the auction exhibition and sale, and without any guarantee. Buyers are expected to have reviewed items and objects of art and to have made their offer being informed. The estimated prices quoted in the catalogue serve for information purposes only. If necessary, the catalogue on paper takes precedence over the electronic version (on paper catalogues can be consulted or downloaded free of charges on www.bernaerts.be ). In exceptional cases, the sale of an art object can be cancelled and the hammer price refunded to the purchaser if the object bought is returned within three weeks, with evidence that it is a falsification, and provided that the object remained in the same condition as at the time of the auction.

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the hammer price, plus 22% on the hammer price in the room and on the absentee bid,
plus 25% on the hammer price by telephone bid, including VAT, for costs.
The simultaneous sale in live (webcast) bidders must pay the purchase price increased by 28% on the hammer price, VAT included.
The silent sales and/or aftersales bidders must pay the purchase price increased by 30% on the hammer price, VAT included.

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This right may apply both to sculptures and to graphic works of art. A droit the suite is charged in case of a resale of original works of art of living artists or artists who died less than 70 years ago and from a price of € 2,000.00 on. It amounts to 4% of the price up to € 50,000.00; to 3% of the auction price segment between € 50,000.01 and € 200,000.00; to 1% of the auction price segment between € 200,000.01 and € 350,000.00; to 0.50% of the auction price segment between € 350,000.01 and € 500,000.00; to 0.25% of the auction price segment above € 500,000.01 price. However, the droit de suite can never exceed € 12,500.00. The rate of the first segment, i.e. 4%, should be applied to the entire amount that lies within this segment. (Law of 4 December 2006 and R.D. of 2 August 2007). Only banknotes in euros (up to an amount of € 2,999 per object, fees included) or cheques guaranteed by a Belgian Bank (or Bancontact card) will be accepted for payment of the purchase price and costs. Cheque cashing fees will be charged to the buyer. In case of payment through a non-certified cheque, delivery of the items may be suspended until the crediting. Payments by credit card (Mastercard, Eurocard or Visa) involve an extra cost.

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Shipping Terms

For smaller items we can assist you in packaging and shipping. For larger or valuable pieces we kindly request you to organize your own transport.
However, we can recommend you some shipping companies.
The costs and risks for packaging and shipping are always your responsibility. Please contact shipping@bernaerts.be.