Bonhams will offer at auction on 4 November in Paris an exceptional group of European old master paintings and drawings from the 16th and 17th centuries, the house announced this week. The sale brings together works by some of the most celebrated names of the Northern Renaissance and the Flemish Baroque, a category that has been quietly rebuilding momentum in recent seasons. The Flemish Baroque material sits at the heart of the offering, including a portrait by Jacob Jordaens, the Antwerp painter whose robust, earthy style made him, alongside Rubens and Van Dyck, one of the defining masters of 17th-century Flanders. Northern Renaissance and Baroque works have benefited in recent years from a market that increasingly rewards quality and rarity over the fashion cycles of the contemporary room. Paris has become an increasingly important venue for old master sales on the international calendar, and Bonhams has been developing its European old masters programme there alongside London. The auction follows strong recent performances for the category at the house's New Bond Street rooms, where competitive bidding from within the saleroom and internationally has driven several results past their estimates. The 16th- and 17th-century segments have proved especially resilient in recent seasons. While the contemporary market has been volatile, works with unimpeachable attribution, distinguished provenance and scholarly pedigrees continue to attract dedicated collectors and institutions. Jordaens himself, long overshadowed by Rubens, has enjoyed a steady revaluation as connoisseurs have come to appreciate the vitality and earthiness of his late mythological and genre scenes. Further catalogue details, including the full lot list and estimates, are expected to be published ahead of the November sale, with viewings scheduled in Paris.