Contact gallery for price		Willem de Poorter * 1608 - Haarlem - 1649 Croseus showing his Riches to Solon Oil on panel 18 5/8 x 14 5/6 inches (47.2 x 37.2 cm) Although his father was Flemish, De Poorter was born in Haarlem, where he is recorded on numerous occasions between 1630 and 1648. Although there is no documentary evidence to conclude that he was a pupil of Rembrandt, his style suggests that he apprenticed with the master in Leiden during the late 1620s or early 1630s. Amongst his own pupils are Pieter Castelyn in 1635 and Pieter Abrams Poorter. Like Rembrandt, De Poorter's work reveals the influence of Rembrandt's teacher, Pieter Lastman and shows a tendency toward the use of exquisite gold and silver objects in the still life details. Furthermore, his dramatic use of chiaroscuro, particularly in his works of the 1630s, was deeply influenced by Rembrandt. His early works have often been previously attributed to Rembrandt while his later work bear closer affinity to Leonard Bramer and Jacob Willemsz. de Wet. De Poorter painted biblical, mythological and historical scenes. The subject of our composition is from the ancient histories of Greek city states and the Persian empire dating to the sixth century BC, as it was recorded by Herodotus. Croseus was a Lydian king increasing the Lydian empire when Solon, a learned Greek of Athens, visited him in Sardis. Solon was traveling to see the world during a trial period of ten years for which the Athenians were to abide by laws Solon had written for them at their request. Croseus entertained him as a revered and learned guest at his palace and showed his land and riches to Solon, as is depicted in our painting. Moments after our subject takes place, Croseus asked Solon after all his knowledge and travels whom he would consider the "most happy person" and much to his dismay, Solon had replied the names of two men other than Croseus, underlining the old saying that riches and wealth cannot buy happiness. Interestingly, the truth behind the legend of Croseus' gold itself had always been doubted until recently when it was determined that, in fact the first coins of pure gold and silver were struck in ancient Sardis and that the bimetallic system of coinage was indeed initiated in the time of the Lydians under Croseus. Our painting is a characteristic example of the artist's œuvre and the luxurious abundance of gold and silver vessels displayed on the table and in the right foreground are exquisitely rendered. The oriental costume worn by Croseus was one of De Poorter's specialties and one can appreciate the beautifully impasted and flowing robes of gold and red, echoed by the Bordeaux silk in the lower right foreground. The historical scene is dramatically captured, heightened by the contrasts of light and dark and focusing the viewer's attention on the two protagonists.