Gustav Klimt has probably influenced this paining. A microscope with a interlocking gold pattern in the background. Is this a still life? A life gazing instrument embellished in opulence? Misaligned elements of gold field and blue sky? Presence of mirror as a source of focused light indicates an old model, but it is likely dysfunctional anyway since objectives are not even aligned and adjustment wheels are not where they should be. Why is there a cord when there is no electrical light?