Spanish School, XVII century. "Still life with peaches" and "Still life with grapes and wine". Oil on boards.

About Auction

Live

Old Masters, Day 2

By Setdart Auction House

Nov 25, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-11-25 08:30:00 2021-11-25 08:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Old Masters, Day 2 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/old-masters-day-2-7886
Setdart Auction House sofia@setdart.com

View Full Catalog (101)

• Lot Description

  Spanish School, XVII century. "Still life with peaches" and "Still life with grapes and wine". Oil on boards. They have slight repainting. They have an antique frame following models of the Royal collection. The still life with grapes and wine has a restoration in the lower right corner. Measurements: 26 x 35,5 cm; 35,5 x 45 cm (frame); 25 x 35,5 cm; 36,5 x 46 cm (frame). In the case of the work starring peaches, the naturalistic arrangement of the objects, in the foreground on a neutral background, the monochromatic palette, which revolves around earthy, ochre and orange tones, and especially the lighting rich in effects and contrasts, constitute a work full of content. Located in the foreground is a group of peaches arranged on a ceramic plate. Next to the plate, an open walnut rests on the left side of the table. In this canvas the author offers us a still life of classical style, rooted in the Spanish tradition of the genre, with a clear and orderly composition and an expressive treatment of light, which produces expressive shadows on the right side and enhances the volume of the various objects. In the present painting the author pays great attention to the precision of the brushstroke and the atmospheric and chromatic sensitivity of the author, nothing distracts the eye, which remains attentive to the smallest detail. However, despite this apparent austerity and economy of means, there remains a taste for the theatricality and deception typical of the Baroque, precisely in the naturalism of the image, so precise and perfect that it results in a deceptive illusionism. In the case of the still life of grapes and wine the author presents the main element in a silver or pewter tray is a still life formed exclusively by grapes, in the left area of the composition, despite the darkness of the canvas, you can see the slight reflection that causes a glass of glass, containing wine inside. The work has been conceived through a simple composition as a frieze. For this purpose, the author establishes all the elements arranged in the foreground, placed on a table that cannot be seen by the spectator. The presence of the grapes, a vine leaf and the glass of wine, speaks of a single element in the mind of the author, and the diversification of this in different states. However, it should be noted that the Spanish still life tradition was largely characterized by introducing a moralizing element in his still life paintings, so it is very likely that this still life maintains that relationship, and through simple elements alludes to a larger theme such as classical culture, where wine was associated with the god Bacchus, or for example the theme reflected in the picaresque novels of the Spanish Baroque, where wine is an undisputed protagonist of Spanish gastronomy, being itself a food. In both paintings, the special care of the light, the shading of the color, the studied and defined brightness, as well as the careful arrangement of each of the pieces stand out. In addition, another of the characteristic elements of the work is the presence of the nut, which is open, indicating the presence of someone, at a time prior to the capture of the scene by the author. A feature that links this piece to the Spanish still life tradition, as it was characterized by introducing elements in the scene that betray the passage of time and the transience of life as a memento mori.

  Dimensions:
  26 x 35,5 cm; 35,5 x 45 cm (frame); 25 x 35,5 cm; 36,5 x 46 cm (frame).

  INV Number:
  35256443
• Shipping Info

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

• Buyer's Premium
  • 22.00 %