The Chirk Cabinet: the Seven Acts of Mercy: to give drink to the thirsty
studio of Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1640 - circa 1650
Materials
Oil on copper
Measurements
90 x 265 mm
Place of origin
Flanders (Belgium from 1830)
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170769.11
Summary
Oil painting on copper, The Chirk Cabinet: the Seven Acts of Mercy: to give drink to the thirsty, studio of Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642), circa 1640-50. One of ten scenes on the outward side of the front drop down flap. A figure exits a building carrying a platter and pouring water from a falsk into two glasses for a mother who sits, in the centre, with her naked child and another beside them. On the right another figure sits, against a wall, with his pack of wood still tied around his back and stick and hat in hand.
Provenance
Traditionally said to have been given by Charles II to Sir Thomas II Myddelton (1586 - 1666) in 1661 in thanks for his role in the restoration of the monarchy, and thence by descent; purchased by the National Trust from Captain David Myddelton, 1993, with the help of grants of £100,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, of £50,000 from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and of £35,000 from the Art Fund (then called the National Art Collections Fund).
Credit line
Chirk Castle, The Myddelton Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
studio of Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642) , artist Flemish School, artist
References
Jervis, 1993: Simon Jervis, Cabinets in Britain, Grosvenor House Antiques Fair Handbook, London, 1993, pp.26-27.