The Master of the Large Jars (active Netherlands 17th Century)

The artist known as the 'Master of the Large Jars' was originally named by Gerard Knuttel in his book on Adriaen Brouwer (see pp. 29, 31, 176-78). He appears to have been a Dutch follower of Brouwer, but has a distinct character of his own, owing both to the boldness of his technique and the geometric stylization of his forms. Other versions of the present composition, with a second figure added, were sold at Christie's London (15-16 December 1983, lot 53, as 'Circle of Adriaen Brouwer') and Christie's South Kensington (7 December 1995, lot 174, as 'Manner of Cornelis Bega').