Manner of Pieter Casteels III (Flemish, 1684-1749). Still life - oil on canvas, 18th c. An impressively large 18th century still life in the manner of Pieter Casteels III, with a brass plate engraved "Peter Casteels 1684-1749" further embellishing the opulent frame. The composition includes an elaborate floral arrangement with tulips, roses, peonies, hyacinth, and lilies of brilliant hues arranged in an elegant Rococo period vase that is lavishly adorned with flourishes on a console table. Perched before the floral arrangement is an exotic bird, and joining the avian is a document that cascades over the table's edge to amplify the trompe l'oeil effect, as well as additional floral blossoms with a pair of butterflies fluttering to either side. Size of painting: 39" L x 31.5" W (99.1 cm x 80 cm) Size of frame: 46.875" L x 39.75" W (119.1 cm x 101 cm)
Complementing this marvelous theme is a stunning color palette - scarlet red, cornflower blue, buttercup yellow, violet, fuchsia, pink, vermilion … all against a cool teal ground. Finally, silhouettes of foliage contribute a touch of mystery to the painting.
Pieter Casteels III was born in Antwerp on October 3, 1684. After training with his father, he traveled to London in 1708 with his brother-in-law Peter Tillemans to work for a picture dealer. Casteels engaged with the London artistic community, subscribing to Kneller's Great Queen Street Academy in London in 1711 and also becoming a member of the Rose and Crown Club. With the exception of a brief return to Antwerp in 1716, Casteels set down roots in England where he would become a prominent painter of flowers and exotic birds, primarily for chimney pieces and overdoors, in addition to creating relatively small history paintings for architectural settings.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, 1980s-2000s
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#164639
Condition
Painting has been professionally relined, cleaned, and varnished. Some touch up to paint in a few areas, but these are difficult to see. Frame has been repaired with sections of the plasterwork reattached. Expected age wear and areas of loss to the frame decoration as shown. Wired for suspension and ready to display.