Lot 852. Attributed to Peter van Kessel, Flower still life in alcove with staghorn beetle. Estimate: € 80,000 - 100,000. Photo Hampel.

Oil on canvas. Relined.76 x 63 cm.

We would like to thank Dr Fred Meijer (RKD The Hague) for his kind advice. 

Accompanied by an expert's report by Dr. Alexander smoke. 

Died 1668 Ratzeburg, attributed .According to the RKD, active in Bamberg and Würzburg in 1658. Recorded in Gdansk in 1668, then in Lübeck and Copenhagen. He worked for the Danish Royal Court.  

Only a few facts are known about the still life painter Peter van Kessel but he focused on painting flower still lifes, sometimes painted in a floral wreath around a central portrait. The Offered work shows a fine floral still life in a greystone alcove. The flowers almost extend to the alcove's edge. A glass vase Placed on the front edge of the alcove Appears to slightly overhang it. A staghorn beetle is just climbing into the niche. The painter has the Arranged bouquet of flowers so dass die vibrancy of all the roses, tulips, carnations and other garden flowers make a striking contrast against the dark background. As a symbol of this ephemeral splendor some flower petals and stems,: such as the hollyhock on the right or the anemone on the left, are already beginning to fade. 

Provenance: Fischer Lucerne, 16 November 1982 lot 2689 with illustration (cataloged: as the . work of Jacob Marrel) 

Notes: A similar work signed by the painter is listed at the RKD with number 116,422th

Hampel. Paintings XVI - XVIII century. Thursday, September 22, 2016