This enchanting 18th-century still life depicts a variety of fruit, flowers and foliage set upon a marble plinth. It’s nicely rendered and carries an intriguing appeal.

Its unusual beauty arises from its contortions and twisted branches. Unlike many still lifes from the period, it doesn’t attempt to be tidy - it’s not abundant with the delights of Spring. Instead, it displays a natural quality, with the fruit decaying in places and the leaves curiously wilting. It’s an entangled truth. The product of a hidden garden.

Still lifes such as this often carry a deeper meaning that extends beyond the aesthetic alone. Oftentimes, they reference the fleeting nature of life and the temporary gains of material pleasures. But here, perhaps the artist is suggesting something about their own character. Is it the product of a wilder mind? An outlier? One of nature’s tangled branches?

Monogrammed/dated in the lower right and housed within a splendid Baroque revival frame.

"A particularly gorgeous frame with this one."

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 17” x 19 ½” / 43cm x 50cm
Year of creation: c. 1756
Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.