Michele Antonio Rapous, (Torino 1733-1819)

Michele Antonio Rapous SOLD (Turin 1733-1819) Pair of Still Lifes with Flowers and Fruit Oil on canvas 99 x 100 cm each This beautiful pair of canvases depicts rich vases of flowers with a classicizing appearance placed outdoors, the first on the edge of an ancient villa (visible in backlight on the right), the second under a tree. In the second canvas, at the foot of the vase, there is an overturned metal basin with bunches of grapes, plums, and peaches spilling out. The setting is evening, with the sky fading towards the inevitable conclusion of the day while the last glimmer of light strikes the foreground, vividly illuminating the flowers. They are mainly characterized by the elegant white, pink, and blue colours of anemones, tulips, roses, and bindweed, just warmed here and there by the red flashes of carnations, poppies, and other anemones. The style and high quality testify to the autograph of Michele Antonio Rapous, court painter of the Savoy family, active for a long time in the main residences of the family and the nobles gravitating around the court.