Franchoys Elaut

He was close to the brothers Frans and Dirck Hals, both like him sons of Flemish parents who had moved to the Dutch Republic.

They are close to the style of Pieter Claesz, the inventor of the monochrome banquet still lifes who also worked in Haarlem.

The Still life with a pewter jug, a ham and other objects on a table (monogrammed and dated lower center: FE Fecit Aº 1627, auctioned at Sotheby's New York on 18 October 2000, lot 113) is an example of his banquet pieces.

It shows his ability to depict the texture of objects and his interest in rendering the reflections and play of light upon surfaces such as the pewter jug.

[4] Elaut also painted tronies, i.e. works that depict an exaggerated facial expression, certain type of person or people in costume.

[3] He also painted a number of merry companies showing elegant people enjoying themselves in interiors playing and listening to music.