This masterfull old master painting was purchased by the last owner on auction of Sothebys "From the royal and noble descent" (Amsterdam, 16-17 october 2001, lot No.1186) as work of school of Adrien van der Werff in the style of his lost work (see B.Gaehtgens, Adriaen van der Werff, 1987, p.261, cat.No.35a) and was attributed due to style and original inscription on reverse of canvas to the pupil of A.van der Werff Frans Bartholomäus Douven de Jonge (1688 Duesseldorf - after 1725). Douven was the son of portrait court painter by Cure Prince Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz Johann Frans Douven and received his training by the Adriaen van der Werff, at that time one of the famoust Duesseldorf painters. Douven processed this impressions of this training period by the important Netherlands Klassicist of the ending golden Eeuw also in his later historical paintings, which belonged to the most popular , how prices point to contemporary auctions. According to Houbraken he was promoted by cure prince Johann Wilhelm and received a place as a court painter of the cure prince and archbishop from Cologne, Clemens August von Bayern.

Provenance: "From the royal descent", auction by Sothebys, Amsterdam,16-17.october 2001, lot. No.1186)

Literature: Painter Lexicon by Thieme/Becker.

Inscription: original inscription in German on the reverse of canvas: "B.Franz Douven, geb.(born)1688", on the reverse of frame - a few labels with inventory numbers of a castle estate.

Technique: oil on canvas. Old gilt frame.Measurements: unframed 1 1/4" x 18" (33,5 x 46 cm), framed 19 3/4" x 24 3/4" (50 x 63 cm)

Condition: very good.