36 - Attributed to Sebastien Bourdon

Attributed to Sebastien Bourdon (French, 1616-1671) Presenting the 'Bikkurim' (first fruits) at the Temple oil on canvas 55 3/8 x 34 3/4 in. (140.7 x 88.2 cm) This lot is located in Philadelphia. Framed: 59 1/2 x 39 x 2 1/4 in. Canvas has been relined. Moderate deposits of surface dirt and dust. Varnish has begun to yellow. Stretcher marks visible at center and craquelures present throughout. Inpainting visible in natural light at upper left in figure with turban. Under UV: areas of scattered inpainting, notable at upper left in sky, at extreme edges, at center to left of book, at right around figure’s turban, at lower right near figure’s hand, and at lower center near edge. Additional images available upon request. Arnauld Brejon de Lavergnée has previously endorsed the attribution to Sébastien Bourdon on the basis of photographs. Lot Note: The Bikkurim, or “first fruits,” refers to the biblical offering of the first produce of the harvest at the Temple in Jerusalem, presented by the Israelites in gratitude for the fertility of the Promised Land. Described in Deuteronomy 26:1–11, the ritual was observed during Shavuot, the Jewish festival celebrating the grain harvest and commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The offerings comprised the seven species associated with the Land of Israel, detailed in Deuteronomy 8:8: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.