Jan Davidz de Heem, 1606 Utrecht – 1683/84 Antwerpen,... Lot 227

Jan Davidz de Heem, 1606 Utrecht – 1683/84 Antwerpen, zugeschrieben BIRTH OF SPRINGS, SURROUNDED BY FRUITS AND FLOWERS Oil on canvas. 170 x 123 cm. The extremely large-format painting, executed in beguiling quality, shows a stone bust of a youth in the style of antiquity in the centre of the black-ground overall depiction. It is framed by a large Baroque stone frame painted in the manner of a trompe-l'oeil with extending volutes and a winged angel's head chiselled below the bust, in the manner of an epitaph. The rendering of the sculptural elements in stone grey, slightly shaded. The bright colours of the fruit and flower arrangements, which are grouped in four larger sections, are all the more striking. Between the foliage, the individual bunches show bright grapes, roses and hibiscus blossoms, next to carnations and corresponding foliage. Peaches, an open pomegranate, citrus fruits and plums are bound in between, with several ripe figs at the bottom. Raspberries and bright red cherries blend into the colour composition, each deliberately set off against the finely painted foliage. Insects such as cockchafers and butterflies can also be found, which was common in floral still life painting of the time. In keeping with the floral symbolism of the period, the individual flowers and fruits appear to refer to the youth of the boy's bust, possibly as a personal tribute. (†) (12901422) (11) Jan Davidsz de Heem, 1606 Utrecht - 1683/84 Antwerp, attributed BUST OF A YOUNG MAN SURROUNED BY BOUQUETS OF FLOWERS AND FRUITOil on canvas. 170 x 123 cm. (†)