Old Master Genre Oil on Canvas. Titled "The Return," reads "W. Hoff Berlin" on reverse.

Interior scene with several figures at a table. A couple on the right embracing one another. In a gold ornate frame. 

Condition: Frame is commensurate with age. 

Overall Size: 36 1/2 x 44 1/4 in. 

Sight Size: 22 1/4 x 30 1/2 in. 

Frame Thickness: 5 in. 

#2273 . 

In art history “Old Master” refers to any painter of skill who worked in Europe before about 1800, or a painting by such an artist. In theory “Old Master” applies only to artists who were fully trained, were Masters of their local artists’ guild, and worked independently, but in practice paintings produced by pupils or workshops are often included in the scope of the term. Artists, most often from early periods, whose hand has been identified by art historians, but to whom no identity can be confidently attached, are often given names by historians such as Master E.S. (from a monogram), Master of Flemalle (from a previous location of a work), Master of Mary of Burgundy (from a patron), Master of Latin 757 (from the shelf mark of a manuscript he illuminated), and Master of the Embroidered Foliage (from a characteristic technique).

W. Hoff has done well at previous auctions, although little is known about their origin or the dates of their paintings. The word "Berlin" on the back suggests that they may have been part of the German school, or at least spent time there gathering inspiration.

Frame is commensurate with age.