Frans Boels - Landscape with Pilgrims and Peasants

Frans Boels

Landscape with Pilgrims and Peasants

Gouache on parchment.. 15.7 x 38 cm.
Framed under glass.
Remaints of a signature to the lower right (?).

Frans Boels was born in Mechelen in 1555. He was a stepson and pupil of Hans Bol, leading to his works frequently being mistaken for those of his teacher. Both artists primarily painted small format works in gouache on parchment. Hans Bol's works have since been more thoroughly researched, thus allowing us to attribute this gouache with relative certainty to Frans Boels. This finely painted work presents a typical Flemish “world landscape” characteristic of the time: A broad panorama in green and blue tones enlivened with figures and animals, buildings, bridges and paths interspersed with luscious green trees. Frans Boels was 14 years older than Jan Brueghel the Elder, although this gouache is reminiscent of his works. Boels was active in Antwerp from 1572 to 1584.
The present unpublished work was previously in the possession of the painter Wilhelm Preyer before passing into anonymous private ownership.

Provenance

From the estate of the artist Wilhelm Preyer. - Subsequently in family ownership.