Offered by Galerie Nicolas Lenté
A luxury Still life with lobster, ham and fruits
Studio of Jan Davidsz de Heem (Utrecht, 1606 - Anvers, 1683-84)
17th century Antwerp school
Bears a signature J D D Heem lower left on the table
Oil on canvas, dim. h. 78 cm, l. 109 cm (h. 30.70 in, w. 42.91 inch)
An 18th century giltwood frame, framed: h. 97 cm, l. 130 cm (38.19 in. x 51.18 in)
This work is a studio version after the slightly larger original (84 x 119 cm) by Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606-1683) c. 1645 in the Royal Collection at the Royal Palace, Stockholm. This intricate composition have inspired colleagues and students of J. Dz. de Heem which produced a few replicas (see "related works")
Provenance: Galerie Charpentier auction, May 1st 1965
Sumptuous still life featuring precious silver, brilliant glass and extravagant food united in the flamboyant and baroque composition. The painter invites a viewer to the feast of red cooked lobster, mouth-watering ham, ripe peaches and plums, and sumptuous bunches of grapes.
All of this delicious food is richly displayed on a wooden table elegantly covered with a dark green velvet tablecloth.
Our eye is directly attracted to the big red boiled lobster in the middle on a larger silver dish, with a silver plate of crabs in front.
Behind the lobster is a large wicker basket with a white napkin, draped over its front edge and supporting a large silver dish with ham.
To the right of the lobster are a bread roll, a branch of plums protruding out of the basket, a lemon and a silver dish with some shrimps, partly covered with a flatly folded white napkin.
On the left side an ornate velvet-covered casket with a silvery fringe gives height to the arrangement and is used as a plinth for the wine-filled German roemer glass filled with white wine and the tall glass with red wine.
In front of the casket is a silver dish overflowing with fruits : apricots, peaches, white grapes and lemons.
As an extravagant framing, the garland of vine branches and red grapes is elegantly arranged on top and encompasses the entire composition.
The alternating textures (smooth or irregular), the variation of forms and sizes give the overall impression of abundance. The delicate touch given to each aliment in order to highlight, offers a perpetual contemplation.
Luxury and splendour impregnates this artwork celebrating the earthly pleasures.
Related works:
- oil on canvas, 85 x 117 cm, signed Jan Van Kessel, dated 1654, Dresden Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, inv. 1221
- oil on canvas, 78x 110 cm, attributed to Jan Dz. de Heem, Sotheby's Amsterdam, 02/11/2004, lot n.50
- partial replica, oil on canvas, 52 x 42 cm, by Joris van Son, Christie's 24 april 1981, lot 103.
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