ABRAHAM BRUEGHEL AND NICOLA VACCARO | A YOUNG WOMAN PICKING FIGS WITH THREE CHILDREN IN A TERRACED GARDEN, WITH URNS OF CARNATIONS, MORNING GLORY, AND OTHER FLOWERS, AND BASKET OF GRAPES AND OTHER FRUITS NEARBY

Property from a Distinguished European Private Collection
ABRAHAM BRUEGHEL
ANTWERP 1631 - 1697 NAPLES
NICOLA VACCARO
NAPLES 1640 - 1709
A YOUNG WOMAN PICKING FIGS WITH THREE CHILDREN IN A TERRACED GARDEN, WITH URNS OF CARNATIONS, MORNING GLORY, AND OTHER FLOWERS, AND BASKET OF GRAPES AND OTHER FRUITS NEARBY

signed lower right: ABrughel P (AB in ligature)
oil on canvas
28¼ by 39 in.; 71.8 by 99 cm.

Condition Report:
The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's.

This work has not been recently restored, but it is generally in good condition. The canvas has an old lining which is nicely stabilizing the paint layer. The surface is slightly flat as a result of the lining. There is a significant dirt layer on the surface. The paint layer has not discolored or been abraded. Retouches are faintly visible under ultraviolet light in the flower pot in the lower left, in the wings of the bird in the upper left, and beneath the apples beneath the figures on the right side. Some of the dark folds in the blue drapery worn by the woman have been strengthened. There are visibly darkened retouches to the left of and above the parrot on the far right, and in the darker colors in the upper right. There are a few retouches in the chest and left side of the face of the woman, and in the lower part of the white dress worn by the child.

"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."

Provenance:
St. James's Galleries, London, 1960;

From whom acquired by Major Herbert Frederick Brudenell Foster (1908-1996);

By whose estate sold, London, Christie's, 18 April 1997, lot 120;

There acquired for $208,843.