Monogrammed lower centre: Q.V. B. Like his teacher Gerrit Dou, Brekelenkam specialised in genre scenes, with representations taken from daily life. Many of his paintings include several figures - works with single figures such as the present are much less common. Because of their concentration of one figure, they are more personal and intimate, which is particulary the case in this painting. Our work can be compared with Brekelenkam´s "Mouse Trap" in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which is dated 1660. Both paintings share the same intimate approach and the brown tonality is eqaully comparable. Brekelenkam´s loose handling of the brush can be beautifully observed in this very well preserved and charming painting. Dimensions 24.1 x 19.8 cm Artist or Maker Quiringh van Brekelenkam Medium Oil on panel Provenance From the estate of the paleontologist Dr. Hans Georg Stehlin (1870-1941). Notes VAT: Margin scheme