Attribué à Jan Claesz.

The painting is in fairly good overall condition. It is on a panel made of four boards reinforced on the back with five clips on each of the three joints. The joints are visible when looking at the composition. There are very small paint losses along the joints, especially in the upper right one going through the boy's sleeve. A small 0,2 cm diameter paint loss in the dark background to the left of the boy's forehead. Two more small paint losses of 0,4 cm each in the centre of the paving in the lower part. A very small paint loss to the left of the dog. Very slight worn area of 2 cm long on the right leg (small white spot visible on the image). The paint surface is well preserved and uniform, under a dirty varnish that needs to be cleaned. UV light: Under a green, thick and uniform varnish. Some very slight restorations along the slits, as previously mentioned. There is a vertical thin line and some dots above the head. Two thin oblique lines of 3 cm long in the left arm. A very thin horizontal line of 10 cm long in the paving, under the horse's leg. A small retouche in the dog's forehead and some dots in his left ear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Notre tableau daté 1618 s'inscrit parmi les premiers portraits d'enfants réalisés en Frise, Hollande, au début du XVIIème siècle. Les jeunes modèles sont presque toujours présentés dans une attitude frontale, se tenant debout sur un sol en damier, auprès de leur animal de compagnie, le plus souvent un cheval miniature. Leur visage sérieux répond à la sobriété de leur costume et au caractère très officiel du portrait. Le cheval n'est pas sellé mais harnaché comme un cheval de trait. 

Ce jeune garçon semble appartenir à la famille Groot, comme le suggèrent les armoiries, famille établie à Hoorn, à quelques kilomètres de la ville du peintre.

L'oeuvre peut être rapprochée d'un autre portrait d'enfant de Jan Claesz. daté 1609 et conservé dans la collection Portret van Enkhuizen, Stichting Verzameling Semeijns de Vries van Doesburgh (voir J.B. Bedaux et R. Ekkart, Pride and Joy. Children's portraits in the Netherlands. 1500-1700, Amsterdam 2001, no. 14, reproduit).