This elaborate mid-17th-century Neapolitan school still life depicts a pyramidal arrangement of fruit on a circular silver platter. It’s somewhat reminiscent of works by Luca Forte (c.1615-c.1670).
Emboldened by Baroque chirascuro, blushing peaches radiate amid a display of Naples’ finest. Perched atop a sprawl of decadent grapes, plums and figs reflect glints of carefully observed light. There’s the occasional wormhole - perhaps a symbolic nod to the inevitability of decay. We see the influence of the Dutch masters, such as Balthasar van der Ast (1593/1594-1657), yet the spirit is enchantingly Neapolitan.
The lucious fruit of Naples has been celebrated by artists for centuries. Rich with fertile volcanic land and an abundance of water, the region offers a superior growing environment. Indeed, at Pompeii, archaeologists discovered numerous still lifes adorning the walls of buildings, such as a fresco depicting apples, grapes, and pomegranates. While at Herculaneum, fragments of wall paintings dating to 79 AD depict three still lifes, including branches of peaches.
During the 17th century, the popularity of still life painting in Naples led to a thriving environment for artists, such as Paolo Porpora (1617-1673), the Recco family (Giacomo Recco (1603-1653), Giovanni Battista Recco (1615-1660), Giuseppe Recco (1634-1695)) and Giovan Battista Ruoppolo (1629-1693). Compared to Rome, artists working in this region could charge considerably more for their work, which also reflected the reputation of its produce.
This piece was shown at the Chateau Borely Exhibition ‘Reflections of the Mediterranean, The Soul of Objects, the Spirit of Things’, in Marseille, France (2002). It’s a fine example.
Held in a later frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 35½” x 41” / 90cm x 104cm
Year of creation: c. 1670
Labels & Inscriptions: Exhibition label and wax seal impression bearing a coat of arms on the reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Exhibited: Marseille, Château Borély, Reflections of the Mediterranean, The Soul Of Objects, The Spirit Of Things, February - May 2002.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine craquelure throughout. Historic areas of in-painting. The paint layer is stable. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.
Our reference: BRV2120
