54.9 x 41.0 cm (21 5/8 x 16 1/8 in.)
Oil on panel

Classification: Paintings
Type, sub-type: Genre - Exterior; Animal

Object is currently not on view

This painting derives from one of Ter Borch's earliest compositions. A related drawing was executed by the precocious artist when he was only eight years old.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Juliana Cheney Edwards Collection, 1961
Accession number: 61.660

Provenance/Ownership History: Please note: The history of ownership is not definitive or comprehensive, as it is under constant review and revision by MFA curators and researchers.

By 1936/1937, Martha Dana (Mrs. William Robert) Mercer (d. 1960), Doylestown, PA [see note 1]; 1960, probably sold through Samuel T. Freeman and Co., Philadelphia [see note 2]. 1960, New York art market [see note 3]. By 1961, Pieter de Boer, Amsterdam and Lucerne; 1961, sold by De Boer to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 20, 1961)

NOTES:
[1] Mrs. Mercer's heir and niece, Walpurga Baroness von Friesen, wrote to Angelica Rudenstine of the MFA (April 28, 1962) that she was certain her aunt had purchased the painting, though she did not know where. She recalled seeing it in the Mercers' home in Doylestown, noting that the last time she had visited was in 1936/1937. [2] Helen H. Gemmill of the Bucks County Historical Society wrote to Scott Schaefer of the MFA (August 1, 1978) that "Freeman Auctioneers of Philadelphia listed 'Man on Horse' in their special sale of Mrs. Mercer's better things" but that the painting is not listed in her estate settlement. As Freeman did hold an auction of Mrs. Mercer's belongings on September 23, 1960, it probably passed to the New York art market at that time. [3] S. J. Gudlaugsson of the RKD wrote to Angelica Rudenstine (May 1, 1962) that a New York dealer had a photograph of the picture in autumn, 1960.

This object is included in the following Selected Tour(s):

• All European Paintings
• Northern European Paintings