Flemish, portrait of a doctor, ca. 1600

For sale at Briscadieu in Bordeaux, 28 February 2015, lot 5, with an estimate of 3,000 to 4,000 Euro; a portrait of a man with his hand on a skull and a "cure-oreille", an ear pick, around his neck. Described as "Dutch School, ca. 1590".

The same painting was for sale at Hampel, in Germany, three years ago, with an estimate of 10,000 to 15,000 Euro (as far as I can tell it wasn't sold then). Perhaps it is due to the pictures, but it looks as if the painting has been cleaned or restored in the years inbetween, and that this hasn't done the picture any good: while the cape is more visible now, the face looks worse, which gives the painting an impression of lesser quality. At Hampel, it was described as "Flemish School, 17th century", so both the age and location have somewhat changed in the current auction.

It's an interesting image, but until someone identifies the sitter (from the weapon at the top right), it will be hard to sell it for much more than the current estimate. Perhaps for an art-loving ear surgeon?