This highly decorative 19th-century German school still life depicts an arrangement of fruit with a bird and butterfly. It’s an accomplished piece with keen attention to detail. The artist is unknown but it’s possibly inspired by the 17th-century Hungarian-British painter, Jakob Bogdani (1658-1724).

Still lifes often evoke a deeper sense of symbolism when you consider the various elements. Since the 17th century, artists have used various techniques to convey a message or feeling. Here, we see the fruit arranged in a way that alludes to sexuality - it’s suggestive, borderline explicit. Consider the various forms, what do you see?

The inclusion of a butterfly is also an interesting one - a fleeting glimpse of nature’s beauty.

Housed within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 29½” x 18½” / 75cm x 47cm
Year of creation: c. 1850
Condition: Artwork presents well. Fine craquelure but the paint is stable. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.