Gerard ter Borch (II) (1617-1681), copy after, around 1700
'Boy Fleas a Dog'
Oil on canvas
Professionally restored (cleaned and relined)
In modern frame in 17th century style
Dimensions excl. frame: 33 x 27,5 cm.
Dimensions incl. frame: approx. 50 x 45,5 cm.
Depcited is a boy busy fleaing a dog. The boy sits on a chair with the dog on his lap. On a table on the right there is a book and a pen. On a wooden bench lies the boy's hat.
What is unique about this painting by Ter Borch, is the relationship that is depicted between human and animal. Mostly animals like dogs where depicted as an attribute in paintings in the 17th century, and sometimes used to symbolize certain character traits. This boy is lovingly caring for his dog, which he is giving his full attention.
Another interesting detail is that Ter Borch's brother Moses, was probably the model for this painting. Ter borch often used family members as models for his paintings. Moses was also a very talented painter and draughtsman.
Several copies of this work by Ter Borch are known. One of these copies is in the collection of the Dutch Rijksmuseum (Image included in the image gallery (last image)).
The original painting is in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich, Germany.
Gerard ter Borch, also known as Gerard Terburg, was a Dutch genre painter who lived in the Dutch Golden Age. He influenced fellow Dutch painters Gabriel Metsu...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Harold Brett Paintings
