16th century French school, - Lot 354

16th century French school, Set of 5 natural oak beams painted in black representing an illustration of the story of Judith". Beam heights from 150 to 199 cm and 14 cm wide. Exceptional part of a fresco from the last quarter of the 16th century depicting "The story of Judith", discovered in 1983 in the Hôtel d'Arthus Fillon in Verneuil sur Avre. Over 9 m² in size, only 5 beams remain today, offering a fragmentary view of the original work of art. Only a copy of a period photograph allows us to appreciate the work in its entirety. Remained in the family since that date, part of the fresco is now lost, and we have not been able to trace it back to the various people who had access to this exceptional ensemble in 1983. Bibliography: A 16th-century fresco