Italian School. Probably Venice. 17th century. Lady playing the lute'. Oil on canvas. 141 x 115 cm. Courtier playing the lute, in an interior scene in which we also see an old woman with coins, perhaps as an allusion to the passing of time, to the vainglory represented by the jewels the lady is wearing and the coins. To her left a humble child holds out a small bag as if begging for alms. This painting can be seen as a Vanitas. Provenance: Private collection Barcelona, acquired in the mid-20th century on the London art market, possibly at a Sotheby's auction. At the time it was considered to be painted by Pietro della Vecchia.