Unknown Artist, Untitled, circa 1800s

Oil on canvas
38.5 x 30.5 cm (visible), 52.5 x 44.5 x 7 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with hairline craquelure across the paint layer and some undulation of the canvas layer. The condition is in line with age of work.

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I don't have any records or documents regarding this piece, I can't provide much detail. However, I remember purchasing it at an auction. The painting depicts a merchant selling rat poison in a marketplace. There was another piece with a similar look and feel, but unfortunately, I lost the bid on that one.

This 19th-century painting depicts a gathering. The central figure, dressed in blue-green, gestures animatedly while others watch with interest, suggesting a storytelling scene. With its rich details and expressive characters, this work offers a glimpse into daily life from the past. Though the artist is unknown, the style is reminiscent of Dutch and Flemish genre paintings from the Baroque or Rococo periods. Despite its age-related wear, the piece retains a compelling sense of movement and character, offering a glimpse into the social dynamics of a bygone era.

(Photographed March 2025)