Franco-Italian School, 17th century

Odescalchi collection, Rome (according to the Zeri Photo Archive);

Art market, Rome, by 1976;

Art market, Milan, by 1976;

Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Christie's, 7 July 1995, lot 95 (as Italian School, 17th century), for £95,000;

Where acquired by the previous owner;

By whom anonymously sold ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Sotheby's, 7 July 2011, lot 288 (as Italo-Flemish School, 17th century);

Acquired subsequently by the present owner.

Likely to have been executed in Rome in the first half of the seventeenth century, the attribution of this extraordinary canvas has eluded scholars since its appearance on the Roman art market from the Odescalchi collection in 1976. While the caravaggesque still-life elements, painted with thick brushstrokes, suggest that it was executed by an Italian painter, the figure types are more reminiscent of Northern European artists. This claim is strengthened by comparison with the work's pendant, executed by the same hand and offered at Sotheby's, London, in July 2011.¹ The latter, depicting a lavish kitchen interior, borrows elements from artists like Jacopo Bassano (circa 1510–1592), as well as Peter van Boucle (1610–1673).

We are grateful to all those consulted for their views.

¹ Anonymous sale ('The Property of a Gentleman'), London, Sotheby's, 7 July 2011, lot 289 (as Italo-Flemish School, 17th century); https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/old-master-british-paintings-day-sale-l11034/lot.289.html