Michelangelo Cerquozzi (1602 Rome - 1660 attributed to), Still life. Photo Hampel

Oil on Canvas. 74 x 99 cm. Estimate € 80.000 - 90.00

Several bright and blue grape cluster in natural growth of vine branches, hanging among the leaves to determine the upper zone of the painting. Among them lying on the floor a broken and a cut melon, along with apples, quinces, pomegranates, figs and plums. The still life is in an original way so demonstrated that the fruit lying on the floor are arranged in the landscape of a construction grapevines, grapes hanging below. Asked slightly diagonal support bars, as used in the vineyards of grapes to support load, has added the painter as articulating, structuring elements. In the top center, next to the "dead" objects only living with a snail shell, crawling along at a grape stems. Effective lighting of a late sunlight, left rear view between the vine leaves on an evening landscape hint. 

Note: Attribution  by Prof. Giancarlo sestieri of December 2008. 
Expert Documentation added, stating several comparative examples such as the still-life painting "figs" in the Prado in Madrid, or "Melagrane" at the Museum Boijmans in Rotterdam, with reference to the fact that also occur in other plants with similar screening of grapes and a snail. 

Literature:  F. Zeri, La Natura Morte in Italia, Milano, 1989, P. 754 - 758

Hampel. Friday, 23 march 2012. http://www.hampel-auctions.com