Satire on art auction, Interior of a dark auction room with monstrous figures. The scene is lit by three candles on a trident, held by a figure with a monkey head. On a rise to the right, the auctioneer swings his hammer. Next to him, a figure with the head of an easel holds up a painting. To the left, a figure with a monkey's head holds a knife to an artist's throat. On the wall are paintings, signed 'Ostard', 'Van Dyke' and 'Van Velde' among others. With eight-line caption in English. print maker: William Henry Toms, (mentioned on object), after painting by: Egbert van Heemskerck (II), England, c. 1730 - c. 1735, paper, etching, engraving, height 358 mm x width 297 mm.