Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 2 December 2008, lot 2, for £109,250;
Acquired at the above sale by Simon Dickinson Ltd.;
From whom acquired by the present collector.

The canvas has recently been cleaned, relined and restored and is in good overall condition. There has been some wear to the blues in the sky. The largest repair visible under ultra-violet light is a diagonal 40 cm old fold or scrape leading from the centre of the left edge up to the head of the standing woman. No major damages are in evidence, but there has been some repair to the heads and costumes of the two principal figures as well as to the trees, sky and foliage behind, and similarly the to the heads and costumes of the figures on the right, notably the girl holding the flowers. All other restoration is local or secondary in nature. The varnish is clear and even. The restoration has been well carried out and the painting should not require any further attention. Offered with a later ebonised wood frame in the Dutch style
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present work is to be included in Dr. Volker Manuth's forthcoming catalogue raisonné on the artist.

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout was a close friend and pupil of Rembrandt, with whom he trained from 1635-40.  He was an artist of great versatility and a gifted colorist whose oeuvre consists predom🎃inantly of Ol𒉰d Testament scenes, history paintings and portraits.

This painting seems likely painted to commission by the lady and gentleman and their two daughters that are its main subject.  Mother and father are dressed as the Old Testament characters Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29, verses 1-12). That it is foremostly a portrait rather than a generic Old Testament scene is confirmed by the sitters looking out o🐎f the painting to engage the viewer. It is the sort of idealised pastoral scene that was immensely popular in Dutch literature and painting from about 1620.  Rembrandt and artists in his circle experimented with this theme, and sitters were often now included in the p𝐆aintings in the roles of country folk, carrying props such as a shepherd's crook.  

At the time of the 2008 sale Dr. Manuth speculated that the painting could have been commissioned by a man named Jacob on the occasion of his marriage.¹  No other paintings from this date by van den Eeckhout are recorded, but from the 1660s to the 1670s, the artist painted many notable portraits in pastoral settings.  Probable portraits also appear in other history paintings such as in The Continence of Scipio (Ohio, Toledo Museum of Art) which depicts 🦹a young couple in the role of a bride and groomꦏ.

 

1.  In a private communication, see Sale, London, Christie's,ꦫ 2 December 2008, lot 2.