"The Holy Family with the Infant John: workshop of Pieter van Avont and Jan Brueghel the Younger"

(1601 Antwerp – 1678 same place) and his workshop, as well as Pieter van Avont (1600 Mechelen – 1652 Antwerp)

Landscape with the Rest on the Flight into Egypt, depicting the Holy Family with the Infant John, angels, and a Lamb in an idyllic, tree-lined Flemish landscape on the riverbank. The Holy Family is seated under an apple tree, from which two angels are picking fruit, greatly desired by John, or rather, a third angel who is handing them to Joseph, who is reading. On the left side of the image, a lamb (the Lamb of God) is led by an angel, already alluding to the future Passover. Behind the Holy Family grow roses, as well as rose stems lying on the ground, blooming tulips, and hydrangeas, which are depicted as flowers with deep symbolic meaning. The meticulously executed painting belongs to a large series of works depicting the Holy Family in landscapes by Jan Brueghel the Younger. Most likely, the figures were painted by Pieter van Avont (1600 Mechelen – 1652 Antwerp), who also closely collaborated with Brueghel, as well as with the elder Hendrick van Balen (1573/75 – 1632). In the RKD database in The Hague, several similar compositions with the Holy Family, the Infant John, angels, and the Lamb, executed by Pieter van Avont, can be found. Oil/copper plate, old mounting on a wooden panel. On the reverse, an old inscription: "(...) Eden" and an old label with a handwritten note: "Purchased in Madrid in June 1830." 55.6 cm x 72.4 cm. Frame. The painting has repeatedly been included in exhibition plans at Windlestone Hall or in inventories since the 19th century (see provenance) as a work by Jan Brueghel the Elder, with figures executed by another master.

Provenance: Acquired in Madrid in June 1830 by Sir William Eden, 6th Baronet of West Auckland and 4th Baronet of Maryland (1803–1873), Windlestone Hall, County Durham, according to the label on the reverse; then inherited by Lord John Eden, 9th Baronet of West Auckland and 7th Baronet of Maryland, Baron Eden of Winton (1925–2020); auction "Old Masters Day Sale" at Sotheby's, London, 2–8 July 2021, lot 125 ("Property from the collection of the late Baron Eden of Winton").

Jan Brueghel the Younger (1601–1678) and his workshop, figures most likely executed by Pieter van Avont (1600–1652). Oil on copper, mounted on a linden panel.

Provenance: Acquired in Madrid in 1830 by Sir William Eden, 6th Baronet of West Auckland and 4th Baronet of Maryland (according to the label on the reverse); then passed by inheritance to John Eden, 9th Baronet of West Auckland and 7th Baronet of Maryland, Baron Eden of Winton (1925–2020).