Jacob Duck

The actual painting is slightly brighter in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The single panel is flat and stable and bevelled on all sides. Two thin small vertical cracks are visible, one running from the upper edge centre right, another upper left above the hand. Otherwise, no damages are apparent, and the paint surface appears to be nicely preserved. The paint surface is under a thick and glossy varnish layer. Inspection under UV light is largely impeded by the varnish layer, but does reveal some strengthening in the objects in the background, in the objects lower centre, and in the figure's costume, hair and beret. Offered in an ebonised wood frame in good condition.
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This previously unrecorded lively brunaille of an amused Democritus is an exceptional work within Duck's oeuvre; he primarily painted kortegaerdjes (guardroom scenes) and merry companies in full colour. The laughing philosopher and the weeping philosopher Heraclitus as his counterpart were a popular subject in 17^th Century art, and paintings and prints with this theme, either together composed around a large globe or as pendants, were widespread. This painting closely follows a print by Jan van der Bruggen (1649-after 1689), in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (inv. no. RP-P-1906-3035). It is plausible that Duck painted the figure of Heraclitus as well, since Van Bruggen's print also has a pendant in the Rijksmuseum (inv. no. RP-P-1906-2032).¹

1. See J. van der Waals et. al., Prenten in de Gouden eeuw, van kunst tot kastpapier, Rotterdam 2006, p. 143, cat. nos. 213A-B, reproduced.