Funny genre painting, probably depicting the famous character Gobseck from the roman "La Comédie humaine" by Honore de Balsac. The painting was executed by Belgian genre artist Frans Meerts (1836 Gent - 1896 Brussels). Pupil of Portaels, the artist worked in Brussel and created genre scenes and his works situated in the museums of Brussels and Ixelles.

Literature: Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Kuenstlerlexikon ", Leipzig, 1999.

Inscription: signed lower left.

Technique: oil on canvas, laid down on wood. Luxuriousy original period gilt frame.

Measurements: unframed w 20 3/4" x h 27 1/2 " (30 x 39 cm), framed w 32 1/2" x h 39 1/4" (46 x 55 cm)

Condition: in very good original condition,