Maximilian Pfeiler (active c. 1683-1721), pair of still lifes of fruit

Maximilian Pfeiler (active c. 1683–1721)

Still life with watermelon and Still life with grapes and figs

(2) Oil on canvas, 62 x 76 cm

With frame, 79 x 92 cm

The pair of fruit still lifes presented here can be attributed to the hand of the Czech artist Maximilian Pfeiler, active from approximately 1683 to 1721. There is little biographical information and chronological references on the artist. The few existing sources indicate that in 1683 he was a member of the Painters' Guild of Prague, his hometown, as well as one of the best students and followers of Christian Berentz (1658-1722), a painter of German origins who first traveled in the Netherlands and then settled in Rome, introducing Northern European themes linked to the still life genre, in which he specialized, to Italy.

It is not clear whether Pfeiler's apprenticeship with Berentz took place directly in Rome, where the Czech artist was certainly active from 1694, establishing collaborations with Francesco Trevisani and Michele Rocca and achieving enormous success. In fact, in the Roman capital Pfeiler soon managed to carve out a leading role for himself within the artistic scene of the late XNUMXth - early XNUMXth century, creating extravagant and recognizable compositions of fruits and flowers much appreciated by illustrious men, such as the Cardinal Joseph Fesch, who commissioned some paintings for his collection.

The two sumptuous examples under examination present the main highlights of his repertoire as a great still life specialist: the realistic depiction of fruit, the finely embroidered fabrics and the shiny metal plates, combined in a complex and elegant, carefully balanced composition. Pfeiler includes in his repertoire a series of recurring fruits of different seasons, such as grapes and tapered vine shoots, figs, peaches and watermelons, tirelessly blending them into increasingly exuberant compositions, typical of the decorative instances of late-19th century still life. baroque.

The open air setting, influenced by the example of the Flemish Franz Werner Tamm favored by the painter, gives the reproduced objects a special brightness, enhancing Pfeiler's rich and contrasting palette and giving full emphasis to his virtuosity in the light effects and rendering of surfaces

The object is in good condition

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