David III de Heem
STILL LIFFE OF FLOWERS IN A GLASS VASE
Oil on canvas (relined). 65 x 51,5 cm.
C DEHEEM.
On a stone table, a generous bouquet in a glass vase is displayed: roses, poppies, sunflower, honeysuckle, bindweed, columbine, meleagris, carnation, lily, nasturtium, and snowdrops are apparent as are four butterflies.
The traditional attribution to Cornelis de Heem, confirmed by the unmistakeable signature, is questioned by Fred Meijer based on a photograph, in as much that in his opinion it could also be a work by his son David III de Heem (born in Antwerp in 1663) - (letter dated 4 November 2008). A painting, very similar in motif, composition and size by Cornelis de Heem can be found in: J. de Maere & M. Wabbes: Illustrated Dictionary of 17th Century Flemish Painters, 1994, p. 554. The artistic achievement of Cornelis de Heem is overshadowed by the fame and quality of his father Jan Davidsz. Aside from him, he was the most talented among all other members of this Dutch-Flemish family of artists specialised in still life painting. His numerous works are found in many public galleries. He rarely signed his paintings, making a chronology of his work difficult. Our painting is dated by Fred Meijer to between the late 1670's and the early 1690's.
Certificate
Walther Bernt, 12.6.1976 (copy available).
Provenance
Auction Fischer, Luzern 1962 or 1963. - David Koetser, Zurich 1967. - Private collection, Germany.