Two panels by Adriaen Brouwer reunited at the Mauritshuis

17/7/23 - Acquisition - The Hague, Mauritshuis - Adriaen Brouwer remains one of the most colourful figures of 17th-century Flemish painting, famous for the debauchery that led to his premature death: it is probably no coincidence that a range of beers now bears his name, a rare privilege among painters. He specialised in genre scenes, often depicting smokers and drinkers who set a bad example to the brave citizens of the Netherlands, but he was also much appreciated and collected by his contemporaries, artists and patrons alike. The Mauritshuis in The Hague, which seems to be working hard to reunite dispersed collections (see the news item of 29/6/20), has just announced the acquisition of a delightful panel (ill. 1) by Adrian Brouwer from the Lowet Gallery in Wotrenge, which can now join its pendant (ill. 2) already held by the Dutch museum since 1897.

1. Adriaen Brouwer (vers 1604-1638)
Superbia
Oil on panel - 23.2 x 15.9 cm
La Haye, Mauritshuis
Photo: Galerie Lowet de Wotrenge

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2. Adriaen Brouwer (vers 1604-1638)
Luxuria
Oil on panel - 22.9 x 16.1 cm
The Hague, Mauritshuis
Photo: Mauritshuis

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While their juxtaposition works wonderfully, they are not really counterparts, even though the two paintings were hung side by side a few days ago: they are in fact from the same set representing the seven deadly sins, dismembered over the centuries. Acquired with the support of the VriendenLoterij, Superbia was sold at Sotheby’s in New York in January 2022, with a simple attribution to Brouwer, even though the catalogue entry left little doubt. The two panels now in the Mauritshuis bear on their reverse two red wax seals with the Spanish and Austrian royal arms, thus the numbers 114 for Luxuria and 115 for Superbia. These coats of arms refer to Don Juan José of Austria, the legitimate son of Philip IV of Spain and Governor of the Southern Netherlands between 1656 and 1659. An…