Probably by Jacob van Oost the Elder, 'Two Boys before an Easel', about 1645
About the work
Overview
Two boys stand in front of a large picture displayed on a wooden easel. The snub-nosed child on the right leans over to study the drawing more closely, while the other turns, frowning slightly, to look at something out of view. The central figure is quite possibly a self portrait by the artist. He holds a board with a blank sheet of paper on, perhaps in anticipation of making a sketch after the work, or to start another.
The monochrome drawing depicts an episode from story of Gideon, as told in the Old Testament (Judges 7: 5–6). God advised Gideon, a military leader, to select his army by asking the men to drink water from a pool. Those who lapped the water with their tongues like dogs were the chosen ones, and would help Gideon secure victory over the Midianites.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Two Boys before an Easel
- Artist
- Probably by Jacob van Oost the Elder
- Artist dates
- 1601 - 1671
- Date made
- about 1645
- Medium and support
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 56.5 × 58.7 cm
- Acquisition credit
- Presented by Sir Henry Howorth through the Art Fund in memory of Lady Howorth, 1922.
- Inventory number
- NG3649
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
- Previous owners
Provenance
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Gregory Martin, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School: circa 1600–circa 1900’, London 1986; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Exhibition history
-
2018Michaelina - Baroque's Leading LadyMuseum aan de Stroom (MAS)2 June 2018 - 2 September 2018
-
2020The Moment of the Beholder: The Visual Agency of Painting between the 16th and 18th CenturiesGalleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica di Palazzo Barberini24 November 2020 - 5 April 2021
Bibliography
-
1986Martin, Gregory, National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School, circa 1600 - circa 1900, London 1986
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.