Lot 4: Jan Maszkowski (Polish, 1794-1865)

At the Pawn Broker. Oil on canvas mounted down onto cardboard, signed in the composition along the edge of the trunk in the center of the floor, approx. 14" x 11", framed in an ornate gilt frame overall approx. 19" x 16". The narrative quality of this scene is typical of the artist's works; rendered in meticulous detail. The demure young woman with two small children are well dressed and are shown with a stylized beauty. The pawn brokers have a slight caricature quality. A display of whimsey is expressed in that part of the painter's signature is covered by the handle of a copper pot.

Surface soils, craquelure, yellowed varnish. Canvas is mounted on thick cardboard; no selvages. There appears to be no evidence of inpainting, though there are some very tiny spots of loss.