18th century Flemish painter
Still life with flowers and fruit, a pie, a precious goblet, and cheese
oil on canvas (73 x 98 cm. - with frame 98 x 129 cm.)
Provenance: Cambi, Genoa, 29.11.2011, lot 612, Estimate: €7/9,000 (link)
Full details of the work (CLICK HERE)
The still life on display depicts a rich and varied composition of objects typical of the Flemish Baroque tradition: the scene is a riot of abundance, with a sumptuous savory pie, partially cut, placed at the center, with an elegantly positioned knife beside it, inviting the viewer to partake in the feast. In the background, a majestic embossed and gilded goblet stands out, a symbol of royalty and wealth.
On the left, a glass ampoule overflows with a vibrant and lush floral bouquet, featuring roses, white flowers, and tulips that create a strong chromatic contrast against the dark background and the warm central tones.
Each element is rendered with extraordinary realism: the crumbly texture of the pie crust, the sheen of the metal, the shiny and waxy surface of the lemons and apples, the porosity of the large wedge of aged cheese, and the intricate shells of the scattered walnuts.
The theatrical lighting, emerging from the darkness, accentuates the depth and volume of the objects, creating an intimate yet grand atmosphere, emblematic of Flemish and Dutch mastery in this genre of painting.
It is a work that celebrates beauty, but each depicted object is not chosen randomly; each carries a precise symbolic meaning, often linked to the theme of "Vanitas" (the transience of life and earthly possessions): flowers represent ephemeral beauty par excellence, as does glass, whose transparency and delicacy allude directly to the fragility of existence. The precious goblet also alludes to material wealth and luxury, which cannot be taken into the afterlife.
Food evokes similar concepts, particularly fruits like walnuts or peeled food, indicating the need to look beyond material appearance (the peel) to seek spiritual substance.
A painting with a nearly analogous composition titled 'Fruit, cheeses and pie on a table' was sold at Christie's Paris (auction 2 Mar 2011, lot 171, in the manner of JUAN VAN DER HAMEN)
Link: https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-maniere-de-juan-van-der-hamen-fruits-5412278/
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold complete with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
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