A Hanging Wall Pouch
c. 1677
Artist, Flemish (?), active c.1659 - c.1675

Artwork overview
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Medium
oil on panel, mirrored glass
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Credit Line
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Dimensions
overall: 67.31 × 26.51 cm (26 1/2 × 10 7/16 in.)
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Accession
2022.181.81
Artwork history & notes
Provenance
Likely Prince Johann Ferdinand von Auersperg, Duke of Silesia-Münsterberg (1655-1705).[1] (Robert Finck, Brussels), by March 1964 until at least 1986.[2] (David Koetser Gallery, Zurich/New York), by March 2000;[3] purchased March 29, 2000 by Robert H. (1928-2009) and Clarice (1933-2021) Smith, Arlington, VA; bequest 2022 to NGA.
[1] Alexandra Libby, “Innovation and Identity in Cornelis Gijsbrechts’ A Hanging Wall Pouch,” Artibus et Historiae 75 (2017): 207-223.
[2] Georges Marlies, “C.N. Gysbrechts, L’illusionniste” in Connaissance des Arts 145 (1964):103. According to the entry for the painting on the website of the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorisch Documentatie (RKDimages number 204569), the painting was with the Galerie Robert Fink in 1970 as part of stock and was shown at the 31st Antiekbeurs van Belgie, Brussels, 1986, as part of Finck’s personal collection.
[3] The painting was with the Koetser Gallery at TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair), Maastricht, in March 2000.
Associated Names
Exhibition History
2002
Deceptions and Illusions: Five Centuries of Trompe l'Oeil Painting, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002-2003, no. 84.
Bibliography
2002
Deceptions and Illusions: Five Centuries of Trompe l'Oeil Painting. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002-2003: no. 84.
Inscriptions
On the almanac on the top pouch: Alter und Neuer/Jahr nach der heilsamen Geburt un/sers herrn und Erlösers Jesu Christi/M. D. LXXVII/ Durch
On a letter in the second pouch: Monsieur/ Mons. Joh: Ferdinand.
On a ltter in the third pouch: Herrn Johann Schön-.../...Mah-/ Aügspürg
On a letter in the bottom pouch: [Mon]suer/ [mon]s. Cornelius Norbertus Gisbrechts/...Ihr Königl[icher] [may]tt bestellter Hoff-Mahler,/grgl.[...]plaü