Christian Seybold Mainz 1690 or 1697 - 1768 Vienna

Private collection, France, from whom purchased by Niall Hobhouse.

This picture is an outstanding example of Seybold's studies of old age, the type of picture for which he is best known.  His painting technique was characterized by the utmost attention he paid to detail, which rivals that of many miniaturists.  Like many German artists of his age, he sought inspiration in the achievements of painters of the Dutch golden age, in particular Gerrit Dou. Balthasar Denner (1685 - 1749) was a close contemporary of Seybold and was an instrumental figure in the his artistic development. He also painted several portraits of elderly ladies, some of which are now in The Louvre, Paris, and The Kunsthistorische Museum, Vienna.