Three ladies at a gaming table, Louis-Nicolas Van Blarenberghe, dated 1754

showing three women in robes of blue, white, and rose, two with masks, around a baize-covered gaming table with cards and tokens, in a formal interior, gilt-metal frame

Baron and Baroness Meyer de Rothschild by 1862, to their daughter
Hannah, Countess of Rosebery, to her husband
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, and by descent until sold
Sotheby's, London, 11 February 1999, Magnificent Silver-gilt, Objects of Vertu and Miniatures from the Rothschild and Rosebery Collection, Mentmore, lot 104

South Kensington Museum, Special Exhibition of Works of Art, London 1862, no. 4454

S. Grandjean et al, Gold Boxes and Miniatures of the Eighteenth Century, Fribourg 1975, p. 238

spot (water drop?) at top border above figure in blue, otherwise good
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present work, signed and dated 1754, can be confidently given to Louis Nicolas as his father, Jacques Guillaume, had been dead for over ten years, and his son Henri-Joseph too young to paint a work of such accomplishment. Like other works of the artist dated in the mid 1750s, it reveals the artist experimenting with new genres. It is interesting to see that Van Blarenberghe adeptly modifies his technique and palette to suit the chosen subject.