Beschreibung:

DescriptionProperty from the Collection of Sir Peter Jonas
Workshop of The Master of the Holy BloodActive in Bruges during the 1st quarter of the 16th CenturyDeath of Lucretia
oil on panelunframed: 61.1 x 45.9 cm.; 24 x 18⅛ in.framed: 72.5 x 57.7 cm.; 28½ x 22¾ in.Condition reportThe panel is cradled, flat and stable. The paint surface is relatively clean with an even and slightly discoloured varnish. Retouching is visible along all four sides of the painted frame, scattered throughout the dark background, in areas of the brown cloak lining, in the blade of the dagger, and in the network of craquelure in Lucretia's face and torso, notably around her proper right nostril. Inspection under ultraviolet light is impeded by a milky varnish but several campaigns of retouching are visible. There are small retouchings scattered throughout, notably in the face, torso, forearms and hands of the sitter. There is a vertical line of retouching to a surface split running approximately 15 cm. from the upper margin through the proper right eye of Lucretia, and another vertical surface split and associated retouching running approximately 20 cm. from the lower margin to Lucretia's left wrist. There are two small concentrated areas of retouching in her red cloak, lower right, both approximately 1.5 x 1.5 cm. The painting presents well and is ready to hang. It is in overall fairly moderate condition.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceAnonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 4 December 2008, lot 107 (as attributed to the Master of the Holy Blood);
Where acquired by Sir Peter Jonas (1946–2020).Catalogue noteThe Master of the Holy Blood (or Maître de Saint-Sang) is the name given to the anonymous master who painted the triptych of the Lamentation in the possession of the Confraternity of the Holy Blood in Bruges. Friedländer suggests that the artist trained in Antwerp, as he shows a close knowledge of the work of Quinten Massys. The master appears to have produced most of his work, however, in Bruges, where his output reflects the influence of his fellow townsmen Gerard David Ambrosius Benson and Jan Provost.1
There are several autograph versions of the Lucretia, including one formerly in the collection of Professor Matsch in Vienna.2 This painting also relates closely to two further versions considered autograph: in the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels (inv. no. 6900),3 and that sold at Sotheby's, New York, 25 May 2000, lot 14.
1 For further discussions on the artist, see M.J. Friedländer, Early Netherlandish Painting, ed. 1974, vol. IXb, pp. 98–99; and Primitifs flamands anonymes, exh. cat., Bruges 1969, pp. 74–87 and 233ff.2 See Friedländer 1974, p. 120, no. 217a, reproduced pl. 207 (as 'Present location unknown').3 https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/fr/la-collection/maitre-du-saint-sang-lucrece?artist=maitre-du-saint-sang-1