Described as being in “gallery condition” (ie cleaned within the last five years), the painting was unusual for bearing Brueghel’s signature and inscription Roma.
Brueghel would have been responsible for the luxuriant flower painting, but the figure of the girl would have been the work of another hand (Luca Giordano was one of his collaborators).
It topped Bonhams’ sale with a price of £26,000 (estimate £15,000-20,000), paid by a French collector.
Bonham’s charming stopgap
UK: IN common with a number of other London auctioneers, Bonhams (15/10 per cent buyer’s premium), were reserving their best quality Old Master consignments for July, but their April 13 sale in Knightsbridge did at least include the decorative charms of this 3ft 21/2in by 2ft 43/4in (98 x 73cm) canvas, illustrated here, of a young woman tending a bouquet of flowers, signed by the Italian-based still life specialist Abraham Brueghel (1631-1697).
