Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (1612-1652), A Jew Reading the Talmud

We present a rare and highly artistic painting of the 17th-century Dutch School.Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (1612-1652)The painting depicts a scene with Jewish sages reading the Talmud or Tanakh (oil on panel, 24.5 x 18.5 cm, octagonal panel).The artwork is executed in the style typical of the circle of Rembrandt's pupils. Chemical pigment analysis confirms that the painting dates back to the 17th century. In search of the closest composition analogues, a painting was identified in the renowned Kremer Collection (oil on panel, 27.5 x 22.5 cm), titled "Eastern Sage Trimming his quill". That piece is signed in the upper left corner with the name "Cuyp" and attributed to the same artist, Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp (1612-1652).He was the uncle of the famous landscape artist Albert Cuyp. As a painter, Benjamin Cuyp was heavily influenced by Rembrandt's artistic circle. This painting is compositionally and, most likely, temporally analogous to the Kremer piece, featuring a reversed (mirror) composition where the group of figures is turned from left to right.There is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the signature; as a result, this masterpiece can be confidently attributed to the oeuvre of Benjamin Cuyp.Additionally, a dendrochronological analysis has been conducted, fully confirming the precise period of the painting's creation.