Cornelis Norbertus Gijsbrechts (Flemish, active 1659–about 1672), Trompe L'Oeil, 1663. Oil on canvas, Framed: 92.1 × 102.9 × 10.2 cm; Overall: 73.7 × 86.4 cm. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Maida and George Abrams Collection—Museum acquisition with funds donated by Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, in support of the Center for Netherlandish Art, 2020.397.

Signed and dated on print of an old man at center. G.N. Gijsbrechts A 1665

Together with Rembrandt pupil Samuel van Hoogstraten, Cornelis Gijsbrechts was the undisputed master of trompe l’oeil painting, yet his paintings are not often found outside of Europe. This large and elegant painting displays an opened cabinet with handwritten notes, books, and newspapers. Gijsbrechts signed his name on a curled, Rembrandtesque etching of an old man at the center of the composition.