Lot 63: A Sense of Touch; and A Sense of Taste

Pieter Verelst (Dordrecht 1618-c. 1678 Hulst) A Sense of Touch; and A Sense of Taste the second signed with monogram 'PVE' (lower left, on the barrel) oil on canvas 7 x 5¾ in. (17.8 x 14.7 cm.) a pair (2)

Pieter Verelst studied under Gerrit Dou (Leiden 1613-1675) of the 'Leiden Fine Painters', and was undoubtedly influenced by their attention to detail. The majority of his work consisted of genre scenes such as the present pictures, reminiscent of Dou and Adriaen van Ostade.
Verelst's two sons, Harman and Simon Verelst, also trained as artists under their father, later moving to London, where their family became known as fashionable portraitists. For an example of another member of the Verelst family's later work in England, see lot 114.