The Israelites gathering around Joseph's Sarcophagus after the Crossing of the Red Sea
Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1621 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
745 x 980 mm
Place of origin
Antwerp
Order this imageCollection
Tyntesfield, North Somerset
NT 20919
Caption
The march of the Israelites to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by God could not happen without taking Joseph’s embalmed body in a coffin which Moses collected before they left. According to the biblical story, Joseph had told them that they must carry his bones up with them from Egypt when God comes to their aid. The Israelites are seen here resting on the left, whilst the Egyptians are drowning in the sea. Another version of the same subject at least from the same studio as the artist can be seen at Speke Hall (NT) on loan from the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, The Israelites gathering around Joseph's Sarcophagus after the Crossing of the Red Sea by Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642), signed and dated 'DO FFranck.in/ET.F. Ao 1621. The Israelites resting on the left, with the Egyptians drowning in the sea on the right. The biblical subject is taken from Exodus (13:19) and also mentioned in Joshua (24:32). Other versions are known in Hamburg and Brunswick.
Provenance
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), Blenheim Palace, 1681; sale of George Spencer Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough (1844-1892), London, Christie's, 24 July 1886, lot 19 (56 gns. to Buck); Baring Collection [Alexander Hugh Baring, 4th Baron Ashburton (1835-1899)], 1886; Frost and Reed [?Buck & Reid] by whom sold to Antony Gibbs (1841 - 1907) and by descent; purchased from the estate of the late Lord Wraxall with the assistance of the NHMF and donations from members and supporters.
Credit line
Tyntesfield, The Gibbs Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: On reverse, a label to bottom centre of frame with the following information - Frost and Reed Ltd, Bristol, Clare Street and London, 41 New Bond Street, W 1, Artistic Frame Makers, Fine Art Publishers, Established 1808, Picture Reparation. Number 7991, date 17/12/51.
Makers and roles
Frans Francken II (Antwerp 1581 - Antwerp 1642) , publisher Frost and Reed Ltd., framemaker
References
Härting 1989 Ursula Härting, Studien zur Kabinettbildmalerei des Frans Francken II, 1989, pp.236-239 Waagen 1854-7: Gustav Waagen, Treasures of Art in Great Britain, 3 vols. (translated by Lady Eastlake) with a supplementary volume: Galleries and Cabinets of Art in Great Britain, London, 1854-7, III, p. 123 Härting 1989 Ursula Härting, Frans Francken der Jungere (15181 - 1642) Die Gemalde mit Kritischem Oeuvrekatalog, 2 vols. Luca Verlag Freren, 1989, no. 41 & 43