H.V. Oorschot (active in Antwerp (?) 1660), Still life of white grapes, apricots, cherries and plums in a basket, together with a bunch of hazelnuts on a ledge

signed and dated lower left: H. V. oorschot. Fecit. 16 60. oil on canvas, laid down on panel. 50.6 by 82.3 cm. Est. 8,000—12,000 EUR

NOTE: Very little is known about the artist of this fruit still life. Greindl mentions a still life in the style of Jan Davidsz. de Heem, quite similarly signed and dated F.H.V. oorschot 1651, once recorded with Leegenhoek.¹ A Frans van Oorschot is recorded being a dealer in Antwerp in 1641, when he was admitted to the local Guild. Whether this and our artist is one and the same person is not certain.

1. See E. Greindl, Les peintres flamands de nature morte au XVIIe siècle, Sterrebeek 1983, p. 371, reproduced p. 271, no 164.

Sotheby's. Old Master paintings. 05 May 09. Amsterdam www.sothebys.com Photo courtesy Sotheby's