An impressive, large-scale Flemish religious composition historically attributed to Willem Key (c. 1515-1568), the celebrated Atwerp Renaissance painter. The painting depicts four scholarly figures traditionally identified as the Four Latin Doctors of the Church - Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, and Saint Gregory the Great, accompanied by the symbolic creatures of the four Evangelists.

These four symbols, collectively known as the Tetramorph, include the angel of Saint Matthew, the lion of Saint Mark, the ox of Saint Luke, and the eagle of Saint John. Their inclusion suggests a sophisticated theological composition emphasizing the relationship between the Gospels and the great early interpreters of Christian doctrine, a symbolism that the four evangelists inspired the four doctors in the latin translation of the bible. An alternative identification of the principal figures as the Four Evangelists remains possible.

The painting is distinguished by its monumental scale, impressive characterization, richly colored draperies, and carefully rendered scholarly figures. The composition reflects the artistic traditions of sixteenth-century Antwerp.

Provenance:

Christie’s New York, January 15, 1988, Lot 40, catalogued as Willem Key

Christie’s New York, April 4, 1990, Lot 136, catalogued as Willem Key

The painting retains a Christie’s Old Master Paintings identification label on the reverse corresponding to the 1990 auction. Historical auction documentation is preserved in the archives of the RKD - Netherlands Institute for Art History.

Condition: The painting exhibits age related craquelure historical canvas repairs, areas of previous restoration, and aged surface coatings. Portions of the composition retain darkened varnish. The painting presents attractively in its current condition with vibrant colors.

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