FRANÇOIS VERWITT (ca.1623, Rotterdam - 1691). "Gallant scene indoors." Oil on panel.

About Auction

Live

Old Masters

By Setdart Auction House

Jun 30, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-06-30 08:30:00 2021-06-30 08:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-7134
Setdart Auction House sofia@setdart.com

View Full Catalog (93)

• Lot Description
  FRANÇOIS VERWITT (ca.1623, Rotterdam - 1691). "Gallant scene indoors." Oil on panel. Signed Take the label of the Parés room (Barcelona) on the back. Measures: 62.5 x 88.5 cm .; 78.5 x 104 cm. (Framework). An author belonging to the German Golden Age, he was the son of the Antwerp painter Adriaan Verwilt and was apprenticed to Cornelius van Poelenburgh (1586-1667) in Utrecht along with Jan van der Lijs, among others. Verwilt became a versatile painter in many genres, including historical, mythical and biblical landscapes, genre works, portraits, still lifes and contemporary interiors of agriculture and middle-class urban life . He is considered part of the "Poelenburch school of landscape painting". His colors range from the style of Poelenburgh in his landscapes to the chiaroscuro of Rembrandt in depictions of contemporary Dutch life. His paintings are represented in many museums, including those in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Budapest, Leningrad, Mainz, Osnabrück, Paris, Vienna and elsewhere. There are no biographies or monographs of his works. This painting brings together the most valued attributes of Flemish painting, which during the Baroque period was able to perpetuate the refined technique of masters such as Van Eyck in the treatment of details, while domestic scenes gained in naturalness, as we see in this lively interior. An informal gathering seems to be taking place, a meeting of aristocrats enlivened by the music played by violinists. A lady is rehearsing singing, a servant is pouring wine, a noble couple is exchanging confidences.... The ochre and earth tones of the room act as a chromatic counterpoint to the gauze and velvet cloaks worn by the diners. The glazes of the crystal, the collars and breastplates of fine lace, the pleats of the sleeves, the faces lit up by the chatter..., the preciousness of the details is combined with the general capture of a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Although Brussels was the political center of Flanders, Antwerp was the city where the most important artistic activity had been centered since the 16th century. Antwerp had enjoyed a prominent position in Europe during that century, for its port had been the busiest in the Netherlands, and the Netherlands had prospered as a maritime power. Antwerp would retain its pre-eminent position as an artistic center for much of the 17th century, so that when Jan Brueghel, Rubens and Van Dyck were appointed court painters to the Archduchess Elisabeth, they imposed the condition that they could continue to maintain their workshop in Antwerp, rather than going to reside with the court in Brussels. Genre works, or scenes from everyday life, were very common in the 17th century. Many artists followed Pieter Bruegel the Elder's tradition of depicting lower-class peasant scenes, although elegant upper-class subjects were also common, with elegantly dressed couples at balls or in love gardens. Adriaen Brouwer, whose small paintings often show peasants brawling and drinking, was particularly influential on later artists. Paintings of elegantly dressed couples in the latest fashion, often with underlying themes such as love or the five senses, were commonly painted by Hieronymous Francken the Younger, Louis de Caulery, Simon de Vos, David Teniers the Younger, and David Rijckaert.
• Shipping Info

  • In-house shipping available. Please inquire at admin@setdart.com.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 22.00 %