Paul BRIL (Antwerp, circa 1553 - Rome, 1626) The Meal at Emmaus and The Flight into Egypt Pair of gouaches on vellum Signed 'P. BRIL' lower left, the second dated '1613' lower left (Restorations) The supper at Emmaus and The flight into Egypt, gouache, a pair, signed and dated, by P. Bril 5.70 x 7.28 in. 14.5 x 18.5 cm Provenance: Probably Galerie Kunstsalon Hermann Abels, Cologne, in 1929; Probably private collection, Germany; Galerie De Jonckheere, Paris; Acquired from the latter by the parents of the current owners in 2005; Private collection, France The pair of gouaches presented here, magnificently preserved, illustrate two episodes from the life of Christ. Until now, it had not been noticed that these gouaches were originally part of a larger ensemble. A gouache depicting The Temptation of Christ in the Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede, also dated 1613, once belonged to this series1. The same is true of two miniatures in the famous Miniaturen-Kabinett in Munich's Residenzmuseum2. The five works, depicting an episode in the life of Christ, are all identical in size and share the same horizon. Bril worked on this series over an extended period: the two works in Munich are dated 1612 and 1615, while the one in Enschede dates from the same year, 1613, as The Flight of Our Pair. These works testify to Paul Bril's exceptional mastery of the gouache technique. There is no doubt that, while he was still active in Flanders, he familiarised himself with this particular technique by carefully studying the delicate gouaches produced by Hans Bol. We would like to thank Drs. Luuk Pijl for kindly confirming the authenticity of this work and for drafting these instructions. A certificate in his hand may be given to the purchaser. 1. Albert Blankert, Dutch 17th Century Italianate Landscape Painters, Soest, 1978, no. 2, ill. 2. 2. Rudolf Oldenburg and Hans Buchheit, Das Miniaturen-Kabinett der Münchener Residenz, Munich, 1921, nos. 25 and 26, ill. Paul BRIL (Antwerp, circa 1553 - Rome, 1626) 14.5 x 18.5 cm The present pair of beautifully preserved gouaches show two episodes from the Life of Christ. Until today it has remained unnoticed that the present gouaches started their life as part of a larger group. A gouache, showing The Temptation of Christ, in the Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Enschede, also dated 1613 was once part of the series1, as were the two miniatures in the famous Miniaturen-Kabinett of the Munich Residenz museum2. All five works depict an episode in the life of Christ, all are of identical dimensions and the horizon line is at the same level. Bril worked on the series for an extended period of time. The two works in Munich are dated 1612 and 1615, while the one in Enschede is from the same year, 1613, as the Flight from our pair. The works show Bril's masterful handling of gouache. There can be no doubt that, while still working in Flanders, he became familiar with this particular technique by carefully studying the delicate gouaches made by Hans Bol (1534 - 1593). We would like to thank Drs. Luuk Pijl for kindly confirming the authenticity of this work and for writing this entry. The painting is sold with its certificate of authenticity. 1. See : Albert Blankert, Dutch 17th Century Italianate Landscape painters, Soest 1978, no. 2, ill. 2. 2. See: Rudolf Oldenburg and Hans Buchheit, Das Miniaturen-Kabinett der Münchener Residenz, München 1921, nos. 25 and 26, ill.