Nicolaes van Veerendael (Antwerp bapt. 1640-1691) A swag of tulips, peonies, carnations, narcissi and other flowers with a butterfly in a stone niche. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

oil on canvas, 22 1/8 x 16¼ in. (22.3 x 16.6 cm.). Estimate $20,000 – $30,000

Provenance: with Waddington & Tooth Galleries, London, 1931.
with Knoedler, New York, 1935.
with P. de Boer, Amsterdam, 1958, where acquired by a private collector, and by descent; Christie's, New York, 30 May 2003, lot 4 ($50,190), where acquired by the Hascoe family.

Exhibited: P. de Boer, Amsterdam, Winter Exhibition 1957-1958.
Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Old Master Paintings from the Hascoe Collection, 2 April-29 May 2005, no. 17 (catalogue by P. Sutton). 

Notes: Celebrated during his lifetime as a painter of still lifes in vases, garlands and swags, Nicolaes van Veerendael achieved early renown and collaborated with other illustrious painters such as David Teniers II, Carstian Luyckx, Gonzales Coques, and Jan Davidsz. de Heem. The bold contrasting colors (frequently featuring pinks and reds in the same composition), expert use of whites and careful attention to the play of light for which Veerendael was renowned are all evident in the present vibrant and sumptuous composition, which dates to the artist's mature period in the 1670s. Fred Meijer of the RKD, The Hague, has confirmed the attribution to Veerendael on the basis of a transparency and photograph (written communication, 24 March 2003).

Christie's. OLD MASTER PAINTINGS, 4 June 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza. http://www.christies.com/