I think someone went to a lot of effort to do an elaborate copy or created something they hoped mostly looked original! Look down between the legs of the Main figure in question.....I guess it's supposed to be a scabbard for a sword....but the angle doesn't go towards anyone correctly......looks more like a cat's tail!!! Also....top right arch.....isn't that a rather surrealistic "castle/building" for the scene that someone put all that work into????? Something seems fishy to me, never mind the £1000 reward...................!
Let me preface by saying a little bit of knowledge is dangerous...and I have less than a little in this arena. I'm still having fun with this painting though. I see from your site you've contacted several museums. Can I assume one of them was the Rijks? Perhaps a major coincidence, but the whimsical style of the rock formation in this work is similar to Jan Mostaert. Also, I can see some similarities in the works of Geertgen tot Sint Jans, particulary in "The Adoratoration of teh Magi". The Rijks has many works by both artists, so I was wondering if they could prove helpful in the provenance of your painting. Ok, I need to let this go. I love a good mystery and now have grown to have an unnatural fondness for the duck-billed shoe!
I have no idea, nor a lot of time to research something that has already been so thoroughly researched... but -- I think it's cool that the painting's owner found this discussion!
Hi all Thanks for all the comments. Just to let you know the prize for this art history mystery has now increased to £5,000. Happy hunting!