Live Auction 7448Old Master and British Pictures
Attributed to Jan Brueghel II (Antwerp 1601-1678) and Studio
Lot 110 THE PROPERTY OF NUNO SOUZA COUTINHO (LOTS 54 AND 110)

Attributed to Jan Brueghel II (Antwerp 1601-1678) and Studio

Saturn eating one of his children, with the children of the planet Saturn below; and Mercury, with the children of the planet Mercury below

Closed7 December 2007

Price Realised

GBP 78,500

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Attributed to Jan Brueghel II (Antwerp 1601-1678) and Studio
Saturn eating one of his children, with the children of the planet Saturn below; and Mercury, with the children of the planet Mercury below
the first with signature 'I Breughel' (lower right); the second with signature 'J Breughel' (lower left)
oil on copper
27 1/8 x 35 in. (68.8 x 88.8 cm.)
two (2)

José Antônio Fialho, and by descent.

Specialist note

These two paintings were probably originally part of a series of the Seven Planets, dating to the mid-17th century. In the composition depicting Saturn, the children of the planet are represented as outcasts of society who are being tended to by the seven works of Charity; while in the composition depicting Mercury, the children are able to devote themselves to the study of the Arts. The apes seem to allude to the Mundus Inversus.