Boors drinking and smoking in a Tavern

Mr. Willem van de Watering believes the present picture may be an autograph work of the 1640s and compares it with the tondo formerly in the Cook collection and sold in these Rooms, 25 November 1966, lot 57, and another tondo, probably from the same series, which was sold at Christie's, New York, 14 March 1985, lot 97; both these pictures are also datable to 1640.

In a verbal communication with the present owner, Dr. Albert Blankert has accepted the attribution to Ostade in full.