Roestraeten, Pieter van Pieter van Roestraeten 1630... Lot 18

Roestraeten, Pieter van Pieter van Roestraeten 1630 Haarlem - 1700 London Still life with a Silver Ginger Jar and a Teapot on a Ledge Oil on canvas. 71 x 61 cm. Provenance With Jack Kilgore, New York. Exhibitions Un cabinet imaginaire. Natures Mortes et Vanités du XVIIème siècle, Vic-sur-Seille, Musée départemental Georges de La Tour, 10 May - 4 September 2005. Literature Gabriel Diss and Laurent Thurnherr (eds.): Un cabinet imaginaire. Natures Mortes et Vanités du XVIIème Siècle, Vic-sur-Seille, Musée départemental Georges de La Tour, Bremen 2005, exhib. cat, pp. 32-33, reproduced. According to the concepts of the 17th century, the artistic quality of a still life is determined not only by the perfect reproduction, but also the choice of objects. The rank and individuality of the things are characterised by their contrast and comparison with neighbouring objects. This results in an unspoken statement, the contextual meaning of a still life. The vanitas still life is hereby the easiest to understand, clarifying the futility and transience of the human pursuit of wealth and fame. In the competitive art market of the Netherlands, it was important for the artist to achieve an unmistakable style and an immediately recognisable signature. For this reason, they specialised in certain genres and themes. The Haarlem painter Pieter van Roestraeten undoubtedly succeeds in this. His works are tastefully composed and brilliantly painted. Certain objects are distinctive in his œuvre, ones which he repeatedly paints, almost as a leitmotif, and in various arrangements. These objects include the relief-chased silver ginger pot, the brown stoneware teapot and in particular the fine Chinese blue and white porcelain tea bowl. These items are usually