Circle of Frans Francken the Younger A pair of landscapes...

Property from a Belgian Private Collection

Circle of Frans Francken the Younger
A pair of landscapes depicting the tale of the faithful wives of Weinsberg

a pair, both oil on panel
each unframed: 50 x 38.5 cm.; 19¾ x 15⅛ in.
each framed: 61.2 x 50.2 cm.; 24⅛ x 19¾ in.
(2)

Condition Report:
Both panels are uncradled, flat and stable. Elements of the painted surface, notably the draperies and figures appears to be well preserved in both panels. Scattered areas of discoloured retouching are visible in both panels, notably in the sky. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the above and further reveal finely executed retouching in the sky and figures in both panels, mostly in the red pigments. Both panels present well and are in fairly good condition.

Catalogue Note:
These panels depict the German folk tale of the faithful wives of Weinsberg. In 1140, when Conrad III of Germany (1093/94–1152) defeated Welf VI (1115–1191) and placed Weinsberg under siege, the wives of the besieged castle negotiated a surrender, which granted them the right to leave with whatever they could carry on their shoulders. The king, unware of the wives' ruse, allowed them this concession. Leaving everything else behind, each woman took her own husband on her shoulders and carried him out to safety. When the king discovered their ploy, he burst into laughter and accepted their actions. He said, after all, that a leader must always stay true to their word.

Provenance:
With Philip Van Collem, Brussels;

From whom acquired by the present owner in 1997.