Victor Wolfvoet le Jeune (1612 – 1652) - Adoration of the Shepherds

17th century Flemish Old master painting "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Victor Wolfvoet the Younger

Surrounded by an elegant and broad black frame, it feels like the spectator is stepping into this very intimate scenery, with the Christ child radiating light and love. The adoration and awe of the Shepherds feels clearly palpable, as is the love of the parents for their child. It's a truly special and heartwarming painting.

Victor Wolfvoet the Younger was born in Antwerp in 1612 as the son of Victor Wolfvoet the Elder, a painter and art dealer, and Brigitta Voorwercx. He became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke around 1644-5 and some sources refer to Wolfvoet as a pupil of Rubens. The artist's estate comprised a substantial collection of artworks of seven hundred items. The inventory of his estate lists twenty sketches by Rubens, including several designs for the ceilings of the Carolus Borromeus Church in Antwerp and six bozzetti for the Triumph of the Eucharist tapestry series. There are also sketches by other artists, many unattributed sketches and framed grisailles, and a number of sketches after Rubens. Some of the sketches were likely in Wolfvoet's own hand, like his copies after Rubens' Abraham and Melchizedek and Manna from Heaven both now in the Mauritshuis, The Hague. The large collection of works has been regarded as evidence that the artist may also have been active as an art dealer. His oeuvre has long remained in obscurity and has only recently been placed back into the spotlight it deserves. A copy of an article published on the artist in the Burlington magazine will be included in the information pack for the buyer.

Currently a cabinet with oil paintings by Wolfvoet, which was long on display in the Rubenshouse museum, is included in an exhibition showcasing several works of the Flemish masterpieces-list at the MAS museum in Antwerp. This is a list of works of art in Flemish collections which are considered as highly important and irreplaceable masterpieces, the cabinet with paintings by Wolfvoet is included in this list.

The oil on copper measures ca. 50 by 43 cms and with the custom-made new frame ca. 70 by 63 cms.

Provenance: private collection Spain