Rafael Valls Limited

In one of Frans Francken’s most iconic images Death plays his violin mocking the protestations of a wealthy old man. The subject of the piece is darkly amusing which is perhaps the reason for its popularity. Instead of remaining dignified and joining death willingly after a long and apparently affluent life, the old man shrinks away from Death and points meekly to his gouty leg propped on a stool as if to beg leave to remain. Teasingly, Death lifts his leg also and props it on an hourglass which has run out of sand... ☠️🎻

Dr. Ursula Härting lists nine autograph versions of this vanitas image, also known as ‘Death and the Merchant’ or ‘Fiddling Death’. While most of these versions are painted on panel, a few notable examples are on copper, such as this picture and a version in the Wellcome Collection with identical dimensions to the present work (inv. 45044i).

FRANS FRANCKEN II
Antwerp 1581 - 1642 Antwerp
Death playing the Violin
Oil on Copper
9.06 x 6.7 inches (23 x 17 cm)

Available for sale

It is a very rare pleasure to see ‘Scrub’ by George Stubbs now at the National Gallery in their small (and free!) exhibition on the artist. Ot is a marvellous painting by Stubbs and his last life sized work still in private hands. The painting of Scrub was commissioned by the same patron as Whistlejacket - the Marquess of Rockingham - who, amazingly, decided not to purchase the painting. It remained with Stubbs until his death almost 40 years later.

And that’s a wrap! It was a pleasure to once again exhibit at TEFAF and meet hundreds of wonderful old and new friends. See you same time same place in 2027! Cheerio!

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Today is the last day at TEFAF!

This is a majestic and touching family portrait by Francois Duchatel. The sartorial elegance of the family is stupendous. This family - traditionally called the Janssens family - would have been important diplomats in the court of Flanders. Dated 1672 the picture is a wonderful testament to the style of the Baroque period.

Come and find it on stand 333 at Maastricht.

Francois Duchatel (c.1620 - c. 1690)
A Family Portrait in an elegant Architectural Setting
Oil on canvas
104 x 179.5 cm

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A lecture by Mr Valls on one of our star pictures, the subject of which is particularly relevant to :

The Siege of Maastricht 1673
By Adam Frans van der Meulen and workshop
Oil on canvas
104x170 cm

Here at TEFAF it feels like there’s a second (much more polite) siege taking place by all the art lovers coming to town.

In our painting we can see Louis XIV directing his troops to capture the city which they did after a 13 day siege.

Fun fact: one of his companions could well be the musketeer
D’Artagnan who died in the siege and is buried here in Maastricht.

A little gem of a picture of an artist painting at

Pieter Codde (1599-1678)
A Portrait of an Artist at his Easel, possibly a Self-Portrait
Oil on panel
13.7 x 10.2 cm

Find it on stand 333

Shoot your best shot today at Maastricht!

Gottfried Eichler the Elder (1677-1759)
A Hussar firing his Pistol
Oil on canvas
52.5 x 44.5 cm
Inscribed and dated verso

The hand of the artist

Rafael Valls Ltd stand 333

Day 2 Maastricht 2026. See you soon at stand 333 x

Welcome to Maastricht! Beautiful art, jewellery, and glorious history in waiting to be discovered.

See you on stand 333 with our Portrait of a Young Lady wearing rubies and pearls.