Lot 2044 Dα

With an old label on the reverse with the partially hand-written inscription: « N° 49 / un jour de reception / par Antoine Palamedes / signé Stevaerts / provient de la collection de la Marquise de Courtebourne de / Gand n° du catalogue 108 »

The Palamedesz. family was of Flemish descent, Palamedes Willemsz. Stevens was a "decorative artist" in the service of the Scottish King James VI, but later moved with his family to Delft. Two of his sons became painters there: Anthonie Palamedesz. (1602-1673), specialising in interiors, portraits and "kortegaardjes" (scenes in guardrooms) and his younger brother Palamedes Palamedesz. who died at an early age, known for battle scenes and robberies.


This painting shows an aristocratic family at a festive table, drinking, playing cards and making music. On the left is a servant pouring wine, a figure found almost identically in paintings by Anthonie's brother (cf. "A Merry Company", Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, inv./cat.no. Sk A 1906).


In front we see a richly dressed family with father, mother and daughter looking confidently into the viewer's eyes. It is probably a self-portrait of the artist with his family - a rarity in the work of Palamedes Palamedesz. In the background on the wall are engraved portraits of a man and a woman, possibly relatives or ancestors. On the same wall are three battle paintings - an obvious reference to Palamedes' painting.
What catches the eye are the pentimenti that have become visible over the years, especially on the right side of the composition, which shows a niche or a bed with a sword hanging from it.


The work is signed and dated: "Palamedesz Stevaerts 1637". Stevaerts was Palamedes Palamedesz's middle name, a name he rarely used. The question arises as to why the battle painter Palamedes created a work in a style and genre so typical of his brother Antonie and, moreover, signed it with his middle name, which he rarely or never used. It is possible that this was a joint painting made by the two brothers.