On Attribution of a Painting by an Unknown Dutch Painter of the 17th Century from the Collection of the State Historical Museum (Moscow)

Abstract

The article attempts to attribute a painting by an unknown 17th century Dutch painter from the collection of the State Historical Museum (Moscow). On the basis of the technical and technological characteristics of the painting revealed through initial examination, as well as deciphering of the artist’s signature discovered by the author of the article, the work is supposed to have been painted by Nicholas (Claes) Corneliszoon Moeyaert (1591-1655), one of the so-called “Pre-Rembrandtists”, the group of Amsterdam-based artists whose creative style influenced the young Rembrandt. The master was known for multi-figure compositions on historical and biblical subjects. The small number of Moeyaert’s works in Russian museum collections increases the cultural and historical significance of the painting from the collection of the State Historical Museum and emphasizes the need for its further research.

Keywords

• attribution of painting
• the state historical museum
• dutch painting
• netherlands
• 17th century
• claes moeyaert