Musicians (detail), Attributed to Mathieu Le Nain, Laon 1602/10?-1677 Paris, Bourgeois Bequest, 1811

adopt an old master

Musicians - Mathieu Le Nain

A painting thought to be by Le Nain, this depiction of three 17th-century musicians is in desperate need of a clean.

Musicians

Le Nain was one of three well-known painter-brothers in 17th-century France, all of whom specialised in the painterly articulation of peasants or genre scenes. Many of these have a sweet naïve quality about them with somewhat awkward compositions and static poses. Some of these ‘trademarks’ can be spotted in Musicians, for example in the squashed-looking features of the woodwind player’s head, in the harsh outlines of the shadows and in the horizontal, frieze-like disposition of the figures. Cleaned to an improved condition, this work would be a valuable addition to the current hang.

Conservation Work Required

This painting is extremely worn and needs some difficult retouching.

How much will it cost?

£7,200