Oil on wood, parquetted (later)
Germany, 19th century
Follower of David Teniers II (1610-1690) – Flemish painter
High-quality genre scene with gold-weighers after the original by Teniers in the National Gallery in London , Inv. No. 155
Decorative stucco frame
Overall dimensions, with frame: 35.5 x 31 cm
Good condition
Object is regular taxed. Differential taxation is not possible

‘The Gold-Weighers’ is a high-quality oil painting probably made by a German artist in the manner of David Teniers II (1610-1690) after the original by this artist, that is today in the possession of the National Gallery in London (Inv. No. 155). From this painting, there also exist engravings, for example by Frans van der Steen (c. 1625-1672). The genre scene shows an interior with a gold-weigher and her husband at the table. The subject of gold weighing was popular in the Dutch painting of the 16th and 17th century. The weighing and counting of gold symbolized the vice of avarice, one of the seven deadly sins. A French copper engraving of the 17th century also calls this occupation the last ‘Plaisir des Viellards’. The painting offers a very fine and expressive depiction of the characters, especially of the faces that come close to the quality of the great master Teniers.



The painting was painted on wood panel, which later has been parquetted. It is in good condition, featuring normal wear. It shows a varnish, a patina of age, a slight crackle and some paint flaking at the edges. At the lower part are visible small touch-ups. The golden stucco frame has some blemishes. The overall dimensions with frame are 35.5 x 31 cm, and the wood panel measures 26 x 21 cm.



David Teniers II (1610-1690)

The Flemish painter David Teniers II (the Younger) was born in Antwerp and studied with his father David Teniers I (the Elder). His later works show an influence of Peter Paul Rubens and Adriaen Brouwer. In 1633, Teniers was a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp. In 1651, he came to Brussels as a court painter, being in charge of the art collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. For him, he created to the so-called ‘Theatrum pictorum’ in 1660, probably the first illustrated catalog of a collection of paintings. In 1664, Tenier founded the Antwerp Academy. David Teniers II has created an extensive oeuvre, including tavern scenes, kermesses, guard rooms, alchemist and witch kitchens as well as biblical scenes , such as the frequently executed ‘Temptation of Saint Anthony’. His genre scenes were extremely popular with art collectors of his time. Today, many of his works hang in almost every well-known art gallery, for example, in the Berlin and Dresden Paintings Gallery, the Uffizi in Florence, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, the Louvre and the Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna. (cko)

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