Claus Meyer (1856 Linden near Hanover - 1919 Düsseldorf) attr; "Drei Alte und drei junge Katzen" (also titled "Alte und junge Katzen", "Böse Zungen" or "Neuigkeit"). Original title Genre motif from the 15th century in a sparsely furnished interior with three seated women in intimate, lively conversation; a somewhat younger one on a folding chair on the left is seen almost from behind, the oldest on the right raises her right hand, reciting a gossip story. At her feet are three young cats at a yellow milk bowl. Meyer was a pupil of August von Kreling, Alexander Wagner and Ludwig von Löfftz at the Munich Academy. The artist undertook a series of study trips to Belgium and the Netherlands, where he found the motifs for his paintings of old Dutch scenes. In 1885, Meyer created the painting "Old and Young Cats", which he showed at the art exhibition in Hanover in 1886 (titled "Novelty") and which was acquired by the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden in the same year. The magazine "Die Gartenlaube" contributed to the painting's popularity by publishing it as an engraving in 1887 (titled "Böse Zungen"); it was also shown at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1889. Oil on canvas, coloured; monogrammed "CL" lower left. 82.5 cm x 102 cm. Frame. Cf. Boetticher, vol. II/1, p. 31, no. 6. Attributed to Claus Meyer. Oil on canvas, relined. Monogrammed "CL".