JACOB DE BACKER (ANTWERP C. 1555-C. 1585)

The present painting is likely to have been part of series representing the Story of the Salvation, some of which were in the collection of Archduke Ernst of Austria, Governor of the Netherlands from 1594-95. Professor Justus Muller Hofstede, in a letter dated 3 February 2004, noted that the inventory of the Archducal collection included four scenes listed as works by Jacob de Backer and catalogued as Peccatum Originale, Annunciato, Passio, and Resurrectio. These four works are probably the same four paintings that were with Schaeffer gallery in New York in 1958, measuring 66.5 x 51.5 cm., and are approximately the same size as the present panel.
The Latin inscription in the ornamental cartouche translates as 'Exalt, behold God is made man for us, Jesus is born of a true virgin, Exalt.' At least two further versions of this composition, both with inscriptions on the tablet held by the figure at lower left, are known (sold Sotheby's, London, 26 April 2007, lot 22 and offered Lempertz, Cologne, 14 November 2015, lot 1427). The present painting may well be the prime version on account of the extensive and freely worked underdrawing which has become visible in places.