A Protestant artist active in Paris, Michelin is cited at the end of the seventeenth century as a master of popular life who commonly sold his work under the name of Le Nain. The present picture was, in fact, purchased by the Museum as by Le Nain. Cleaning in 1928 disclosed the signature and date, and these have made it possible to identify the artist and several other works, most of which, like the present picture, show street scenes.

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