Jean-Baptiste Belin, called Belin de Fontenay Caen 1653 - 1715 Paris

Estimate

60,000 - 80,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Jean-Baptiste Belin, called Belin de Fontenay
Carnations, lilies, delphinium, tulips, Fritillaria imperialis, iris, apple blossom, honeysuckle, narcissi and other flowers in a stone vase sculpted with the figure of Ceres crowned by a putto;Morning-glory, martagon lilies, poppies, a sunflower and other flowers in a stone vase sculpted with the figure of Ceres and putti, with a pear and plums on a ledge
a pair, both oil on canvas, in fine carved and gilt wood frames

Provenance

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 7 July 2000, lot 47, for £86,250;
Private collection, Europe.

Condition

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The oils are lined and the paint layers are stable. The still life with the large red poppy has retouched edges and some of the green leaves and stems have blanched paint. The still life with the orange lilies has some minor retouchings visible under U-V light. These include a reduction of a pentiment to the lilies, reduction of pale shrinkage craquelure in the centre of the composition and a reduction of thinned paint in the background where canvas texture is apparent. It has similar blanching to the green leaves and stems."
"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."

Catalogue Note

Like his father-in-law Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (1636-1699), in whose studio he trained, Belin de Fontenay worked for Louis XIV and his court. However, despite their many collaborations, Belin de Fontenay's paintings display a greater softness and sensuality and his compositions are more naturalistic than Monnoyer's. Dr. Fabrice Faré dates the work to around 1690, when Belin de Fontenay was producing some of his most important decorative schemes for Louis XIV.