Lot 88: Melchior Brassauw , Malines 1709 - after 1757 Antwerp portrait of a lady, half length, wearing a pastoral dress with a wide-brimmed feathered hat, holding a music sheet; portrait of a gentleman, half length, wearing a fur-trimmed black coat with a

a pair, the former with remains of a signature upper right; the latter signed upper left: Melchior. Brassauw: pinx: both oil on panel Quantity: 2

measurements note each: approx. 19.4 by 16.5 cm.

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
Born in Malines, Brassauw moved to Antwerp in 1737, where he was active until his death in 1757. Portraits such as these, as well as more 17th Century inspired genre pieces and tronies can be found throughout his oeuvre. This gentleman with feathered hat is very similar to a work in the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid (inv. no. 2867), which was attributed to Brassauw by the R.K.D., The Hague in 1997. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, ownes a signed Musical Company by the artist (inv. no. A57).