Still life with fruit, vegetables and crystal chalice, Hubert van Ravesteyn (Dordrecht 1638-1683) workshop/circle

Hubert van Ravesteyn (Dordrecht 1638-1683) workshop/circle

Still life with fruit, vegetables, a crystal chalice and a painted ceramic jug

Flemish painter, mid-17th century

Oil on canvas (59 x 74 cm. – Framed 74 x 88 cm.)

Provenance: Hampel Monaco, 29.06.2023, lot 1017 (https://www.hampel-auctions.com/a/Maler-des-17-18-Jahrhunderts.html?a=136&s=877&id=578227)

The composition offers us a typical Flemish still life of the seventeenth century where, carefully arranged starting from the left edge of the table partially covered by a cloth, we can admire, in order, a magnificent Venetian crystal chalice, a plate with bread, a painted porcelain with silver lid; on the right, however, a selection of fruit and vegetables, with apples, beets and a large cabbage inside a woven basket, while on the table there are two pears and some chestnuts.

The stylistic and compositional characteristics of the painting have led us to identify its author in the orbit of the Flemish Hubert van Ravesteyn (Dordrecht 1638-1683), whose painting is very identifiable, with a mixture of realism and abstraction that convey a unique and fascinating.

Going into specifics, in his compositions he uses a careful arrangement of individual objects to create a feeling of balance and harmony. His use of space is also remarkable, as the elements of emptiness highlight the beauty of the objects.

This artwork is a perfect example of the artist's ability to capture the beauty of everyday, non-artifact objects through painting. It looks like a photograph of a seventeenth-century Dutch family's table, without too many frills.

The work also has an allegorical meaning, as often happens with this kind of compositions, their reading invites us to see a sort of emblem that transmits a moralizing message.

The sobriety of the composition, consequently, refers to the concept of moderation which takes on particular meaning when associated with the foodstuffs represented (first and foremost bread) as well as the sturdy jug. The only detail that we could define as out of the ordinary is the fine crystal cup, placed not by chance by the author off-centre on the left, which alludes to the transience of worldly pleasures, in contrast to the rest of the representation which on the contrary refers to the stability of the spiritual sphere.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work sold is completed by a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.

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