Floris van Dyck
Still Life with Grapes, Apples, Nuts, Olives, Wine Glasses, and a Siegburg Pitcher
Oil on panel (parquetted). 39 x 63 cm.
The present work is listed in the database of the RKD in The Hague as “Haarlem Master circa 1620/25”. Well-known expert on Netherlandish still lifes Pamela Hibbs Decoteau published a detailed study of this work just a few weeks ago, in which she attributes it to the Haarlem based painter Floris van Dyck. She compares it to a number of works from his early period, including a signed still life with cheeses in the Frans Hals Museum dated 1611. Although Floris van Dyck usually presented his still lifes spread out on a white tablecloth, there are examples without it, such as a signed “Still Life with a Rummer, Wine Glass, Walnuts, and Hazelnuts” sold by Sotheby's in New York on 24.01.2008.
As with other artists of this genre's early period, such as Floris van Schooten who was 10 years his junior, van Dyck presents his fruit and vessels in a colourful, well organised arrangement on a table. Frequently depicted items include nuts or olives, a diagonally placed knife, and vessels. The present work also includes full glasses of wine and a white Siegburg stoneware pitcher. Other popular motifs include the Wanli dish filled with fruit and the round loaf of bread.
Pamela Hibbs Decoteau closes her assessment by confirming this piece to be an early example of the œuvre of the important Haarlem still life painter Floris van Dyck.
Certificate
Pamela Hibbs Decoteau, October 2017.
Provenance
Christie´s London 7.7.2000. - Private ownership, Holland.