A long-lost painting by Flemish Renaissance artist Abel Grimmer has resurfaced after nearly a century in obscurity.
The artwork, titled 'A Landscape with Peasants near a Lakeside Castle', was discovered in a private collection. It is set to be auctioned by UK-based auction house Woolley & Wallis on Wednesday 5 March, with an estimated value of £20,000 (€24,000).
The piece was found by a family unaware of its significance. Due to the rarity of his paintings, there was scepticism about its authenticity. However, research at The National Art Library in the V&A in London confirmed it had the luminescent paint surface typical of late Renaissance Flemish painting.
Abel Grimmer (c.1570-c.1620) was a pivotal figure in Flemish landscape painting during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. He apprenticed under his father, Jacob Grimmer, and became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1592. Grimmer's work is characterised by its detailed natural elements and atmospheric rural settings, often emphasising seasonal changes.
His paintings are housed in institutions such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels, the Groeningemuseum in Bruges, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
The rediscovered painting is a quintessential example of Grimmer's small-scale landscapes, featuring charming scenes of rural life. Many of his works formed series, such as 'The Four Seasons' or 'The Twelve Months', and it is believed this painting was likely part of a pair depicting seasonal contrasts.
