Lot 1533 Dα

The painting shows a pair of beggars on the left hand side standing below a monumental sculpture of St. George and looking towards an opulently decorated room. Two groups of figures inhabit the room, on the far right a cheerful round of ladies and gentlemen playing music and drinking, and to the left and in the center of the composition a married couple with two children. The father is shown standing, opening his arms in a welcoming gesture, while the seated mother points to the little daughter, who offers a golden necklace as a gift to the beggars.
It is not always possible to interpret the works of Delft-born artist Anthonie Palamedesz as clearly as is the case with the present painting. For the most part, his numerous figure paintings depict the affluent bourgeoisie, whose wealth is reflected in their silk and velvet dresses and interiors sumptuously furnished with pictures and maps, brass chandeliers, and sculpted fireplaces. The juxtaposition of poverty and wealth and the openly displayed compassion of the middle group of figures are somewhat seldom in his compositions.
Paintings of this size by Anthonie Palamedesz are mainly housed in public collections and rarely appear on the market.