Ancient oil painting on canvas of Flemish origin depicting still life with fruit. 17th century period.

 The seventeenth century is the golden century of still life, particularly in Northern Europe (but also in Italy and Spain). There was considerable demand for this type of paintings, mostly from a new audience of middle-class buyers. The great increase in demand favors a process of specialization, with the identification of 'subgenres' linked to the predominant content of the paintings and with specific denominations. The artists, therefore, specialize in the creation of still lifes whose theme is food, or flowers, or musical instruments and other objects which constitute a particular type of still life, called vanitas (a theme, moreover, to which they often allude still lifes in general). Our work depicts a still life with fruit with a silver mug in the centre. Some technical characteristics can be seen in the work, including the vast range of colors that are inserted into the play of transparencies, resulting in chiaroscuro and reflections . The artist contrasts brightness and chromatic innovations with the shadowy world of the time, alternating with both stylistic and chromatic virtuosity and intertwining.

Conditions: Excellent condition.