Large flower still life in a bronze vase

Details

Provenienz:
Van Ham, Köln, Auktion, 19.11.2010, Los 519 (als Nachfolge Gaspar Pieter Verbruggen d. J.);
Tajan, Paris, Auktion, 30.3.2011, Los 52;
Ketterer, München, Auktion, 21.11.2014, Los 132;
Privatsammlung, Deutschland.

Descrizione

A polished bronze vase with a lavish floral arrangement of roses, mottled tulips, anemones, snowballs, zinnias and blue morning glories stands against a brown background on a stone balustrade.
Verbruggen was one of the outstanding Flemish flower still life painters at the end of the 17th century. Trained by his father, he became a master of the Antwerp St Lucas Guild at the age of 13 and was eventually appointed dean in 1691/92. His pupils included Jacob Melchior van Heck and Peter Frans Casteels. His lifestyle, like his flower bouquets, was characterised by opulence and forced him to auction off some of his paintings in 1703 and move to The Hague to escape his creditors. It was not until 1723 that he returned to Antwerp. His compositions, which are always decorative, are characterised by a naturalistic wealth of detail and vibrant colours.

The painting is registered at the RKD, The Hague, under the number 1001088036 as a work by the artist.