Probably Jan Davidsz. de Heem, studio of
Still Life with Game, an Amsterdam Bronze Mortar and Fruit
Oil on panel (parquetted). 52 x 76 cm.
Numerous elements of the present still life can be found in the 1650 paintings of Jan Davidsz. de Heem. Therefore, according to Fred Meijer, it cannot be ruled out that the picture was painted in the immediate vicinity of de Heem, possibly even in his studio. However, there are pictorial elements that do not appear in de Heem's work: The game still life with a hare, quail and songbirds is more reminiscent of compositions by the Antwerp painter Frans Snijders, but his painting style is less smooth and detailed. The artichoke and the oriental carpet covering the table also do not match de Heem's work. The crowded composition combines a multitude of very different pictorial elements in a small space. Despite the various citations, Fred Meijer assumes that only one artist was involved in the work, and that this artist has yet to be identified (written communication dated 23rd March 2023).
The high quality of the work is evident in the extremely finely painted nad lifelike details. The date on the upper edge of the Amsterdam mortar is not completely legible: FECIT MCC... The orange with sprigs of herbs and small pickles in two Chinese bowls stacked on top of each other is a particularly charming motif.
Provenance
Collection of W.R.J. Dreesmann, Amsterdam (until 1933), - Subsequently collection Mrs. Roelands, Vaduz until September 1969, - German private collection.
Literature
Fred G. Meijer: Jan Davidsz. de Heem, PhD thesis, Amsterdam (ASH), 2016, pp. 169-170, p. 414 (with dimensions 60 x 73 cm), notes 409, 410.