Lot 1294 Rα

Jan Toorenvliet came from a family of Leiden artists. He first apprenticed under his father, a glass painter, and later under Gerrit Dou, his father's brother-in-law and the leading representative of fine painting in Leiden. Following a stay in Italy during which Toorenvliet visited Rome and Venice, he headed back to Leiden and later resided in Amsterdam. He was mainly known for his genre scenes and scenes of merry company. This "Adoration" is one of around 20 biblical history paintings in his hand, more of which can be found in his sketchbook of 1704, and others still are only recorded in documents. With this in mind, the present work forms a rare and fine quality example of Toorenvliet's career as a religious painter. The figure of the kneeling Virgin and the shepherd to the left indicate Italian influence, possibly coming from the Utrecht followers of Caravaggio. The figure of Joseph and the column to the left are characteristic elements found in many of Toorenvliet's works.

We would like to thank Dr. Susanne Karau, Berlin, for her kind help.