A luscious 19th-century still life with apples, pears, pot and plate by Belgian artist, Auguste Braekevelt (1832-1908). The level of detail here is astonishing and the fruit appears lifelike - good enough to eat.

Braekevelt was a painter and sculptor that trained under Égide Hyacinthe Mélot (1817-1885). Undoubtedly, his experience of working in three dimensions as a sculptor helped him to capture light with a high degree of understanding. Note how the light falls on the apple in the lower left - quite sublime.

The painting is signed in the upper right and housed within a gilded frame that’s possibly its original.

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 20” x 14” / 51cm x 35cm
Year of creation: c. 1880
Provenance: Belgium
Condition: Artwork in presentable condition with no issues. Frame with some light wear and losses.
Artist’s auction highlight: £1,784 achieved in 2010 for ‘Still Life, Peonies In Blue Vase’.