Flemish School, late 17th Century

Sr. Anthonio de Trinidad, Lissabon, by 1968 (according to information provided by the present owner).

The catalogue illustration is representative for the actual painting. The canvas has a rather stiff relining, which has flattened the paint surface. The paint surface has grown thin, particularly in the darker areas. There is a minor tendency towards cupping. Tiny discoloured retouchings as well as strengthening can be observed throughout, e.g. in the dog in the lower right corner, in the stairs lower left, in the figure in the background, in the objects lower centre, and in the costumes and chair of the cobbler in the centre. The paint surface is covered with a thick and glossy layer of varnish. The craquelure pattern is rather coarse and varies in places. Inspection under ultra violet light is completely obscured by the dirty varnish layer. Offered in a later plain gilt wood frame, in good condition. (MW)
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