The Chirk Cabinet: Sinite parvulos venire ad Me ('Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me')
studio of Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1640 - circa 1650
Materials
Oil on copper
Measurements
390 x 880 mm
Place of origin
Flanders (Belgium from 1830)
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1170769.4
Summary
Oil painting on copper, The Chirk Cabinet: Sinite parvulos venire ad Me ("Suffer the little children to come unto me") by Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642), circa 1640-50. Octagonal panel shows a scene from Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16 and Luke 18: 15-18. Christ sits in the centre of a portico, on a stone step, with classical columns behind. Mothers with children approach. A figure stands on the right gesturing towards him.
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.