Three Le Nain paintings re-examined

Describes the great difficulties of distinguishing the work of Antoine, Louis, and Mathieu Le Nain. The three paintings discussed ( Halte du Cavalier and Flageolet Player in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and The Peasant Family at Petworth House, UK) share with other works by the brothers separate campaigns of painting, and reworking over earlier compositions. Technical examination has confirmed their identity as Le Nains, but cannot shed light on which brother contributed to which painting. Discusses earlier compositions and the priming and pigments used, in greater detail for The Peasant Family .