Henry Ferguson
c. 1655 - 1730
Two Women fetching Water with a Dog by an Antique Sarcophagus, an Obelisk beyond
Essay:
Typical of Ferguson's work our painting is reminiscent of a much larger painting now in the Rijksmuseum of Saint Charles Borromeo in a Fantasy Landscape (SK-A-5006). Elegant figures populate a fantastical and highly classical landscape. The vast majority of the space is usually largely taken up by a classical frieze or stele. In this case the classical stele depicts an elderly man making a sacrifice at a small altar to a small effigy. There is possibly an allusion to Lot and his daughters in the background whose mother is depicted as a salt statue further up the hill.
Provenance:
Private Collection, UK;
sale, Chrisie's, London, 9th February, 1979, lot 10;
Private Collection, France