Croesus showing his riches to Solomon

Details

ATTRIBUTED TO FRANS FRANCKEN II (ANTWERP 1581-1642)
Croesus showing his riches to Solomon
oil on panel
15 5/8 x 18 3/8 in. (39.7 x 46.7 cm.)

Provenance

Private collection, Italy.

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Lucy Speelman Junior Specialist, Head of Part II

lspeelman@christies.com +44 207 752 3074

Lot Essay

This unusual subject was treated by Francken in at least two further autograph pictures, both of which are recorded by Ursula Härting (one in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, the other formerly in the collection of Philipp Lindstedt, Göteborg: see Härting, Frans Francken der Jüngere, Freren, 1989, p. 333, nos. 317-18). An allegory of the vanity of earthly riches, the picture shows the turbaned, wealthy Croesus, King of Lydia, showing the Athenian sage Solon golden vessels and other riches; at which the latter commented that the humble, when blessed with good fortune, were happier than Croesus with all his wealth.

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