A pair of trompe-l'oeil figures in painted oak representing - Lot 45

A pair of trompe-l'oeil figures in painted oak representing a gentleman and his lady in costume from the first half of the 17th century. Holland, 19th century H. 115.5 cm and 114.5 cm These trompe-l'œil painted figures are copies of two silhouettes from a private German collection, sold a few years ago as attributed to the entourage of Cornelis Bisschop (1630 - 1674), a Dordrecht painter known for his painted panels. These cut-out figures, sometimes life-size, were very popular in Europe and America ("dummy board") from the 17th to the early 18th century. Strategically placed in the home, they were designed to amuse and confuse both residents and visitors. These works are difficult to attribute, but Dutch artists such as Cornelis Bischop or Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck (circa 1600/1603-1662), both from Dordrecht, are known to have specialized in the execution of these painted panels with their curved shapes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds a late 17th-century pair in its collections (inv. 1970.125.1 and 2), while others are in private collections. Reference: - Sale Cologne, Van Ham Kunstauktionen, June 2, 2021, lot 1007.