17th century oil on canvas painting of a courtyard scene of a festive gathering around a table with figures enjoying music and seafood, attributed to Pieter de Hooch (Dutch, 1629-1684). Provenance: Galerie G. Paffrath, Dusseldorf, Germany, entry No. 42 in Katalog 14 (1953). Attribution made by William Reinhold Valentiner (May 2, 1880 – September 6, 1958), who was a German-American art historian, art critic and museum administrator. He was educated and trained in Europe, first working at the Mauritshuis in The Hague and at museums in Berlin. In 1907 he moved to the United States to become the first curator of the department of decorative arts in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City (see photos). [Sight: 36 1/2" H x 53 1/4" W; Frame: 47 1/2" H x 63 3/4" W]. Areas of restoration, re-painting; rubbing to edges; accretion. Some wear and losses to frame.

Areas of restoration, re-painting; rubbing to edges; accretion. Some wear and losses to frame.