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Lot Essay
Both J. Smith and C. Hofstede de Groot have catalogued the present picture as having a pendant (Smith, n0196; Hofstede de Groot n0521). This was last recorded in the Elkins collection, Philadelphia (catalogue of 1908, n014). The pair was split by D.W. Acraman in 1842 (see under provenance), as the present picture ppaers by itself in the sale at Christie's in London in that year. Both Smith's and Hofstede de Groot's catalogue entries have caused confusion regarding the correct provenance for both the present picture and it's pendant. Furthermore, we have to assume that Hofstede de Groot's catalogue numbers 613 and 614 correspond with only one picture, which is the present lot. Thus the provenance given by Hofstede de Groot to Woodin in 1845 and G.T. Braine; Sale, 1817, can only refer to the pendant, as in 1845 the pair was already split (see above) and the Braine Sale catalogue mentions a picture with a similar subject but with the old couple seated on the left instead of on the right.
Subject and style of the present lot are characteristic of the artist's mid-career: the motif of boors fighting is reminiscent of the early works, whereas the colour scheme foreshadows that of the major works of the 1650's and 1660's.
Subject and style of the present lot are characteristic of the artist's mid-career: the motif of boors fighting is reminiscent of the early works, whereas the colour scheme foreshadows that of the major works of the 1650's and 1660's.