After Evert van Aelst (Delft, 1602 – 1657), Still life

After Evert van Aelst (Delft, 1602 – 1657),

Still life

Oil on panel, 69 x 84 cm

With frame, 95 x 109 cm

The composition in question is characterized by an elegant lightness. Fruit is scattered liberally on a stone windowsill, while some apples and grapes are presented inside a painted ceramic tray. A vase of flowers dominates the left part of the painting, breaking the horizontal trend and dynamizing the composition.

The style seems to derive from that of some late works by Balthasar Van Der Ast, born in Middleburg in 1593-94. In 1632 Ast settled in Delft, where he lived almost until his death in 1657.

It seems likely that the signature is that of a painter who borrows the style of Evert Van Aelst (Delft 1602 – 19 February 1657), moreover under the influence of Van Der Ast. Characterised by a rather linear, orderly and analytical style, Balthasar's compositions have influenced the present figuration due to the monochrome background, the insects in the background and the presence of decorated ceramics. See the two still lifes of the master in question, the first preserved at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge (UK), and the second appeared on the antiques market.

Evert Van Aelst, also known as Everald Aalst, became famous for his still life paintings of game, fish and vases. He was partly influenced by Pieter Claesz and, as previously mentioned, by Balthasar Van Der Ast. He spent four years in France and seven in Italy. The Grand Duke of Tuscany became his patron and rewarded him generously for his works. After returning to Holland, he settled in Delft, where he opened a workshop specializing in still lifes. Emanuel De Witte, his nephew Willem and Jacob Denys were his students. The painting also has a likely relationship to the early works of Willem Van Aelst (1627-1683 at the earliest), nephew and pupil of Evert Van Aelst.

The table, for stylistic and compositional analysis, can be referred to the first youthful phase of Evert Van Aelst, still tracing the influences of the primitive character of Balthasar Van Der Ast. In this regard, see the Aelst pears preserved in the Sir William Bird collection (UK), or those appearing on the antiques market depicting a similar ceramic vase with flowers, a floral composition with poppies of the same yield and a fruit composition in the same style . In the second phase, the compositions will become more articulated and characterized by greater complexity.

His works are preserved in the Suermondt Ludwig Museum in Aix-la-Chapelle, in the Harvard Art Museum in Cambridge and in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.