Still life with books

Details

Provenance:
Kunsthandel Xaver Scheidwimmer, Munich, acquired there in 1977 (as Italian, c. 1630);
since then in private collection, Bavaria;
by inheritance to the present owners.

Descrizione

Both the present painting and the following lot were conceived as counterparts, as suggested by the dimensions of the paintings and the table top running through them at the same height. They outline different areas of active everyday life: the intellectual life in art and science (Vita contemplative) in the book still lifes and bodily enjoyment (Vita voluptaria) in the kitchen still life.
On a table with drawers there is a multitude of objects that appear both random and yet carefully arranged. A row of leather-bound books is lined up next to each other, but not in a strict order: Some are placed upside down, while loose documents and letters protrude between them. A vase with lilies, an oil lamp, two inkwells and other writing materials are placed on the tabletop, some protruding over the edge, with two lemons in between. Several flies that have settled on bread and books complement the trompe-l’œil character of the work.