Inventory of the Convent des Récollets, Lille, 1795(?), inv. n°325;
Convent of the Bernardines d'Esquermes (Lille), before 1827;
Convent of the Bernardines, Grand parloir, Bon-Secours, Pérulwelz (Belgium);
Anonymous sale, Brussels, Palais des Beaux-Arts, 16 March 1971, lot 43 (purchased by a Brussels' collector);
Private collection, Liège, before 1976.

Inventaire du Couvent des Récollets, Lille 1795(?), n°325 ;
H. Devisscher et H. Vlieghe, Corpus Rubenianum Ludwig Burchard, V. The Life of Christ before the Passion: the Youth of Christ, Turnhout 2014, vol. 1, p. 208, under n° 41, copy 1, vol. 2, fig. 155, repr.

Under the naked eye : The large canvas has been recently relined; a vertical seam can be seen running vertically in the centre, here the two pieces of canvas are sewn together. Overall the painting seems to be in rather good shape for such a large size. Most of the colours of the clothing of the figures appear to be nicely preserved, with some retouchings scattered throughout. The painted surface shows some old light stretcher marks in its craquelure pattern. The varnish layer is relatively clear as it seems to have been recently cleaned and the painting is ready to hang. Under UV light : The varnish layer fluoresces for some parts and shows strengthenings to the darker contours and areas as well as the retouchings mentioned above. Offered with a carved and giltwood frame with black and golden elements, in good condition.
"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 composition, attributed to the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens, derives from an original painting created jointly by Rubens and the young Van Dyck (1599-1641), his student at the time. Now in the Potsdam Museum[1], it depicts an Adoration of the Magi, a subject Rubens represented numerous times. The peculiarity of this interpretation is the absence of the star of Bethlehem, which is masterfully signified by the hands of the three Wise Men designating it. Our version has long been known and is recorded in the Corpus Rubenianum Ludwig Burchard (see literature); the differences in the sky and the removal of certain inscriptions on the royal gifts, on which one could once read the words 'Thus' and 'Myrrha', are the result of subsequent restoration.

[1] Oil on canvas, 216 x 263 cm, initially 170 x 257.5 cm, Postdam, Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg, Neues Palais, inv. n° GKI 5224.