Villagers Dancing
- Date
- late 1630s
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 38 1/16 x 57 1/2 in. (96.7 x 146 cm)
framed: 46 3/4 x 66 1/2 in. (118.7 x 168.9 cm) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 22:1944
NOTES
The satisfying structure of this landscape, provided by the framing backlit trees, is a hallmark of Claude’s style. Here there is also a very clear progression into the distant background provided by alternating light and dark bands. Although French by birth, Claude worked most of his life in Rome and based many of his paintings on the local countryside. This picture is noteworthy for the sophisticated handling of the distant landscape mountains and water. Claude often employed other artists to paint his figures, as he has done in this instance, although the precise name of his collaborator is unknown.
Provenance
by 1837 - 1853
Samuel Woodburn (1780-1853), London, England [1]
1853 - 1860
Samuel Woodburn Estate, London, England [2]
1860/06/11
In auction of “Pictures by the greatest early Italian masters,” at Christie, Manson & Woods, London, June 11, 1960, lot no. 129 [3]
by 1926 - 1942
John Skipworth Gibbons (1852-1942), Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England [4]
1942/06/11
In auction of “Boddington Manor: Catalogue of the Valuable Furniture and Effects,” at Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England, June 11, 1942, lot no. 764 [5]
- 1944
Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. (Paul M. Byk), New York, NY, USA
1944 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. [6]
Notes:
[1] In the 1837 catalogue raisonné, Samuel Woodburn is referenced as owner [Smith, John. “A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French Painters.” London: Smith and Son, 1837, Vol. 8, p. 317.] Samuel Woodburn was a London art dealer. He worked in his family’s business, which specialized in old master drawings, prints and publishing, and framing. The painting remained in Woodburn’s collection until his death in 1853.
[2] In 1854, the painting was first offered at an auction of Woodburn’s estate after his death and was not purchased. See the auction catalog [“Pictures by ancient and modern masters and other choice works of art, of that highly-esteemed judge of Art, Samuel Woodburn, Esq., deceased.” Christie’s, London, May 15-25, 1854, lot no. 187].
[3] See the auction catalog [“Pictures by the greatest early Italian Masters, formed under singular advantages, by that distinguished connoisseur, the late Samuel Woodburn, Esq.” Christie’s, London, June 11, 1860, lot no. 52]. According to an annotated copy of the auction catalog at the National Art Museum, London, the painting was bought by a person named Norton, who likely acted as an agent for an unknown buyer [photocopy, SLAM document files].
[4] On March 5, 1926, Bruton, Knowles & Co. of Gloucester created an inventory of pictures for John Skipworth Gibbons. A painting is listed as hanging in the Billiard Room with the following description: "Claude. Woody River Scene, group of figures dancing, cattle and sheep in foreground, 38" x 58". [Gloucester Archives, D2299/4798; copy, SLAM document files]. The painting described matches the Museum's painting.
[5] See the auction catalog [“By direction of the Executors of J.S. Gibbons, Esq., deceased, Boddington Manor: Catalogue of the Valuable Furniture and Effects … which Bruton, Knowles & Co. will sell by auction,” Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England, June 9-12, 1942, lot no. 764]. The painting was offered on the third day of the sale, June 11, 1942. It is listed as "Claude. Woody river scene, group of figures dancing, cattle and sheep in foreground, 37in x 57in."
[6] Invoice from Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. dated January, 11, 1944 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, February 3, 1944.
Samuel Woodburn (1780-1853), London, England [1]
1853 - 1860
Samuel Woodburn Estate, London, England [2]
1860/06/11
In auction of “Pictures by the greatest early Italian masters,” at Christie, Manson & Woods, London, June 11, 1960, lot no. 129 [3]
by 1926 - 1942
John Skipworth Gibbons (1852-1942), Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England [4]
1942/06/11
In auction of “Boddington Manor: Catalogue of the Valuable Furniture and Effects,” at Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England, June 11, 1942, lot no. 764 [5]
- 1944
Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. (Paul M. Byk), New York, NY, USA
1944 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. [6]
Notes:
[1] In the 1837 catalogue raisonné, Samuel Woodburn is referenced as owner [Smith, John. “A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French Painters.” London: Smith and Son, 1837, Vol. 8, p. 317.] Samuel Woodburn was a London art dealer. He worked in his family’s business, which specialized in old master drawings, prints and publishing, and framing. The painting remained in Woodburn’s collection until his death in 1853.
[2] In 1854, the painting was first offered at an auction of Woodburn’s estate after his death and was not purchased. See the auction catalog [“Pictures by ancient and modern masters and other choice works of art, of that highly-esteemed judge of Art, Samuel Woodburn, Esq., deceased.” Christie’s, London, May 15-25, 1854, lot no. 187].
[3] See the auction catalog [“Pictures by the greatest early Italian Masters, formed under singular advantages, by that distinguished connoisseur, the late Samuel Woodburn, Esq.” Christie’s, London, June 11, 1860, lot no. 52]. According to an annotated copy of the auction catalog at the National Art Museum, London, the painting was bought by a person named Norton, who likely acted as an agent for an unknown buyer [photocopy, SLAM document files].
[4] On March 5, 1926, Bruton, Knowles & Co. of Gloucester created an inventory of pictures for John Skipworth Gibbons. A painting is listed as hanging in the Billiard Room with the following description: "Claude. Woody River Scene, group of figures dancing, cattle and sheep in foreground, 38" x 58". [Gloucester Archives, D2299/4798; copy, SLAM document files]. The painting described matches the Museum's painting.
[5] See the auction catalog [“By direction of the Executors of J.S. Gibbons, Esq., deceased, Boddington Manor: Catalogue of the Valuable Furniture and Effects … which Bruton, Knowles & Co. will sell by auction,” Boddington Manor, Boddington, Gloucestershire, England, June 9-12, 1942, lot no. 764]. The painting was offered on the third day of the sale, June 11, 1942. It is listed as "Claude. Woody river scene, group of figures dancing, cattle and sheep in foreground, 37in x 57in."
[6] Invoice from Arnold Seligmann, Rey & Co., Inc. dated January, 11, 1944 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, February 3, 1944.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.