Dancing Peasants

Date16th century

MakerAttributed to Pieter Brueghel the Elder Flemish, 1525-1569

Object number52.39

ProvenanceCollection of Paul Delaroff (1852-1913), Gatschina Russia (near St. Petersburg); [Kunsthandlung Julius Böhler] [1]; Dr. Arthur Salomonsohn Collection (1859- 1930), Berlin, by 1918 [2]; by inheritance to Alma Bertha Salomonsohn Collection (later Solmssen; 1872-1961) [3]; (possibly sold 1941) [4]; LeRoy M. Backus collection (1879-1948), Seattle, Washington; bequest from Mr. Backus to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 1952 [1] According to Roh, p.4, the painting was originally in Delaroff’s collection in Russia, then with Kunsthandlung Julius Böhler, a well-known Munich dealer. Mrs. Salomonsohn’s lawyer refers to this dealer. [2] By the time Roh wrote (1918) the painting had moved to a private collection in Berlin, probably Salomonsohn’s. [3] Various scholars, such as Marlier, give the date 1937 which probably means only that they knew the painting was with the widow Salomonsohn (1872-1961) in that year. The widow’s maiden name was Barschall. [4] Art Gallery of Hamilton (ON) references a 1941 sale of their Salomonsohn painting; unknown what other Salomonsohn paintings were included

Exhibition HistoryNew York, Schaeffer Galleries, The Backus Collection at the Schaeffer Galleries, Nov. 1948. Cat. no. 6. Houston, Texas, Museum of Fine Arts, "The Human Image," 1958 Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Documents International: Reflections in the Mirror: A World of Identity", April 23, 1998 - June 20, 1999Published ReferencesFriedlaender, Max J. "Die Altniederlaendische Malerei," Vol VIV, No. 33a (as listed in SAM Backus catalogue, 1952) Friedlaender, Max J. "Pieter Bruegel." Pl. 60, p. 110 Roh, F. "Ein Neuer P. Bruegel," in Der Cicerone, 1918, pp. 3-4 Seattle Art Museum. "Le Roy M. Backus Memorial Collection." Seattle: Seattle Art Museum, 1952, no. 1, illus. "Engagement Calendar." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum Guild, 1953, no. 53 "The Human Image." Houston, TX: Museum of Fine Arts, 1958, fig. 34 "Preview," KLSN Program and Fine ARts Guide, May 1961, p. 13

Credit LineLeRoy M. Backus Collection

Dimensions16 1/8 x 14 1/8 in. (41 x 35.9 cm)

MediumTempera and oil on wood