A pair of Italian Old Master paintings – The Card Sharpers, 17th century Oil on canvas. Designed as counterparts. Gentlemen playing cards at each table, some elegantly dressed. In one painting a young nobleman is being cheated by two men. The figure in the centre gestures to his companion with his right hand, indicating which additional cards he is to take out of his robe. In the second painting the central figure is absorbed in his cards. In the background, a gentleman shows his partner which cards their potential victim is holding in his hand. Dimensions of the carved and gilt wooden frame 128 x 152 cm. Dimensions without frame 107 x 131 cm. Damage due to age. Circular craquelure on both paintings. A hole in the upper centre of one painting. The gilding of the frames rubbed in places. The artist's motifs, play of colour and contrast are strongly reminiscent of Valentin de Boulogne (* 1591 in Coulommiers; † 1632 in Rome), who was strongly influenced by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Together with Nicolas Régnier, he is considered the main exponent of the Caravaggio style. Condition: III -