Rembrandt School, 17th Century

Anonymous sale, London, 9 December 1931, lot 59, to A. Field (as Rembrandt);
With D. Katz, Dieren, by 1943 (according to an inscription on an RKD mount);
Private collection, The Netherlands;
Thence by descent in the family;
By whom anonymously sold ("The Property of a Gentleman"), London, Sotheby's, 10 July 2003, lot 18, for $155,428;
There acquired by the present collector.

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work has received a cradle on the reverse. The panel is flat, and the paint layer is stable. It seems that the work is originally made from three pieces of wood, with joins to the left and right of the figure's head. This is quite a textured work on a grainy piece of wood and there is a brushy quality to the paint layer in the background, but the condition is very good. Under ultraviolet light, one can see only very isolated spots of retouching in the lighter colors, and a few spots along the original panel joins. The varnish has become very dull and uneven and should be refreshed. There is a horizontal crack in the panel around a knot in the wood to the right of the hand holding the scales.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Although a firm attribution to this confidently executed work has thus far eluded scholars, this painting displays similarities to works by pupils of Rembrandt, including Christoph Paudiss, Karel van der Pluijm, and Abraham van Dyck.  Notable comparisons can be drawn between the present work and Abraham van Dyck's 'Grace before dinner," An old couple seated at a Table, formerly in the collection of Emile Wolf and sold 8 June 2017, lot 19.¹

1. Oil on canvas, 26 3/4  by 29 3/4  inches.  See W. Sumoswki, Gemälde der Rembrandt Schüler, vol. I, Landau/Pfalz 1983, p. 673 cat. no. 384, reproduced p. 705.