Jan Baptist Bosschaert

Anonymous sale, Paris, Nouveau Drouot, 20 November 1985;
Acquired by the present owner at Galerie Jacques Perrin in Paris in 1987.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The canvases are lined and both have 5cm additions along the top edges. Both paint layers are stable with raised paint in some areas. Under U-V light a scattering of retouchings can be seen over the surfaces of both paintings; some of this is excessive e.g some highlights have been strengthened, although there are areas where the paint is thin, e.g the shadows of the putti , and where glazes have been compromised. The tonality would improve with the removal of the varnishes from both paintings. The overall condition of both paintings is good."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Jan Baptist Bosschaert was a student of the flower painter Jean Baptiste de Crépu in Antwerp in 1685 and he became a master in the guild in that city in 1703. He specialized in large scale flower compositions and often collaborated with his contemporaries by painting the still life elements in narrative works. The cascading garlands of sumptuous flowers entwined around sculpted urns in the present pair of paintings are entirely characteristic of his work. Similar urns sculpted with bacchanalian scenes and putti can be found in many works by the artist, for example the signed works sold in these Rooms, 7 July 2005, lot 182, and 19 April 1989, lot 56.

 

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