A small, yet confident landscape by John Constable (right), done at the height of his powers, leads the way for Christie’s first major auction of Old Master paintings in London this year. Its  bright and airy feel would seem appropriate for the Spring and a renewed vigor of interest in the Old Masters market. Yet the utter lack of quality material from this sale may suggest that slim pickings are ahead. Word from several dealers and auction house staff has that  collectors are in a “hold,” or “wait and see” mode. Economic instability has caused many to hold to their works as secure assets, while buyers have been hesitant to splurge, save for the most exceptional pieces. It will be interesting to see how a mid-level sale like this one fairs–the auction still has quality works, albeit by some lesser known artists.

A Bosch-esque nightmare titled “The Harrowing of Hell,” by Rembrandt’s teacher, Jacob Isaacz van Swanenburg, certainly brings to mind moral indignancy over bank bailouts and greedy executives. Enjoy your millions now, pretty soon you’re going to find yourself cast into the fiery mouth of a wolf-like monster, about to  be devoured.

Other lots of interest include a trademark work by Hyacinthe Rigaud–grand portrayer of swagger and nominee for coolest artist name ever; a religious allegory by Jacopo da Bassano, and a roundel piece by Pieter Brueghel II, with the proverbial subtitle “Who knows why the geese go barefoot?” The answer, as noted in Christie’s lot description, is the same as to asking “Why is the sky blue?” Everything happens for a reason. Words to live by in unexpected and uncertain times.

Click each image to be redirected to Christie’s website for further lot information.

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Abraham Bloemaert (Gorinchem 1566-1651 Utrecht)
An elderly man, bust-length, in a brown coat and hat; and An elderly woman, bust-length, in a brown coat and headscarf
both signed and dated ‘A Bloemaert. fe 1634′ (upper left)
oil on panel
14¾ x 11 in. (37.5 x 27.9 cm.)
a pair (2)

£15,000 – £20,000

($22,080 – $29,440)

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Jacob Isaacsz. van Swanenburg (Leiden 1571-1638 Utrecht)
The Harrowing of Hell
oil on copper, unframed
19¼ x 28 in. (48.8 x 71.1 cm.)

£30,000 – £50,000

($44,160 – $73,600)

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Egbert Lievensz. van der Poel (Delft 1621-1664 Rotterdam)
A fire in a village at night
signed and dated ‘Evander PoeL 1659′ (lower left)
oil on panel
14¾ x 19 3/8 in. (37.5 x 49.3 cm.)

£15,000 – £20,000

($22,080 – $29,440)

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Pieter Brueghel II (Brussels 1564/5-1637/8 Antwerp)
The Goose Herder, or ‘Who knows why the geese go barefoot?’
oil on panel
7 5/8 in. (19.3cm.) diam.

Estimate:

£80,000 – £100,000

($117,760 – $147,200)

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Johann Ludwig Ernst Morgenstern (Rudolstadt 1738-1819 Frankfurt)
The interior of a Gothic cathedral by torch- and candlelight
signed, inscribed, and dated ‘J.L.E. Morgenstern Francofort 1785′ (lower left, on a pier)
oil on copper
20 x 17¼ in. (50.8 x 43.8 cm.)

Estimate:

£12,000 – £18,000

($17,664 – $26,496

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Attributed to Hyacinthe Rigaud (Perpignan 1659-1743 Paris)
Portrait of a gentleman, bust-length, in a velours craimoisi-lined brown mantle
oil on canvas, oval
32 x 25½ in. (81.3 x 64.9 cm.)

Estimate:

£6,000 – £8,000

($8,832 – $11,776)

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Genoese School, 17th Century
Saturn holding one of his sons and daughters, surrounded by the Four Seasons
oil on canvas
35 x 31½ in. (88.9 x 80 cm.)

Estimate:

£15,000 – £20,000

($22,080 – $29,440)

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Felice Fortunato Biggi, called Felice de’ Fiori (active Verona c. 1650-after 1700)
Roses, tulips, lilies and other flowers in a bronze urn on a stone socle
oil on canvas
48 x 36 in. (101.9 x 91.5 cm.)
in a neo-classical giltwood frame carved with ribbon-tied laurel and pierced leaf-tip edge

Estimate:

£18,000 – £24,000

($26,496 – $35,328)

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Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A. (Plympton 1723-1792 London)
Portrait of Field Marshal Charles Moore, 6th Earl and 1st Marquess of Drogheda (1730-1822), half-length, in the uniform of the 19th Light Dragoons, his left hand resting on a plumed helmet placed on a plinth
oil on canvas
30 3/8 x 25 in. (77.2 x 63.5 cm.)

Estimate:

£10,000 – £15,000

($14,720 – $22,080)

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John Constable, R.A. (East Bergholt 1776-1837 London)
A wooded landscape with cattle, buildings to the left
oil on millboard
10¼ x 14 in. (26 x 35.7 cm.)

Estimate:

£100,000 – £150,000

($147,200 – $220,800)

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Jacopo da Ponte, called Bassano (Bassano del Grappa c. 1510-1592)
Christ driving the Tradesmen from the Temple
oil on canvas, unframed
53¾ x 69 1/8 in. (136.6 x 175.5 cm.)

£15,000 – £20,000

($22,080 – $29,440)

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Sebastiano Ricci (Belluno 1659-1734 Venice) and Studio
The Adoration of the Shepherds
oil on canvas, unlined
23¾ x 17¾ in. (60.3 x 45.2 cm.)

Estimate:

£12,000 – £15,000

($17,664 – $22,080)

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