Jephthah's Daughter
Painting on canvas • Studio of Peter Paul Rubens (likely Antwerp School)
Style & Movement
Flemish Baroque
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing Flemish glazing techniques, chiaroscuro, and dynamic brushwork
Creation Period
Mid-17th century (circa 1630-1650)
Dimensions & Format
80cm x 60cm (Landscape format); Framed: 105cm x 82cm
Subject Description
The painting depicts the biblical scene where Jephthah is met by his daughter after his victory over the Ammonites; she is dancing with timbrels, which seals her fate as his promised sacrifice. The composition is characterized by dramatic movement, muscular anatomy, and heavy architectural elements characteristic of the Rubensian style.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Restored); Generally sound structural integrity with evidence of professional cleaning and stabilization.
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $80,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$40,000 - $60,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely inherited or acquired via European private collection; gallery-style framing suggests 19th-century institutional or high-end residential display.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the collaborative nature of the Rubens studio system in 17th-century Antwerp, serving as a high-quality example of the dissemination of Rubens' narrative and compositional innovations.
Notable Features
Dynamic grouping of figures characteristic of Rubens' late 1620s designs; opulent gilded Baroque-style frame and institutional identification plaques; sophisticated handling of atmospheric sky.
Condition Issues
Visible restoration including past relining and scattered retouching in the darker pigment areas; potential flattening of impasto due to heat-table lining; localized craquelure typical of aged oil film.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with 50% relative humidity; use UV-filtering museum glass if possible; periodic inspection by a conservator to ensure old varnish does not yellow mid-term.
Collector Notes
School or possibly studio of Ruben's 80cm x 60 cm framed 105cm x 82cm. The painting has been restored