Lot 2066 D α

This still life with fish, oysters and crabs was identified by Professore Nicola Spinosa as part of a series of supraports from the collection of Giuseppe Papè, Prince of Valdina. He was a notary to the King of Spain.
A member of one of the most famous families of 17th-century Neapolitan still-life painters, Giuseppe Recco's extensive output was characterised by exquisite quality. It is distinguished by its strong naturalism, pronounced eclecticism and Baroque sensibility. These qualities cemented Recco's fame throughout Europe early on in his career. He mainly painted still lifes of all kinds, but it was his maritime pieces that made him famous. Typical of his paintings are the fine, complementary tones, the lively shimmering of the silver fish scales and the impressive tactile rendering of crabs and oysters.
The present painting can be dated around 1660-70. It is accompanied by a copy of the essay by Porfessor Spinosa, Naples 2019.