18th century, French School - Still Life

18th century, French School Still Life Oil on canvas, 82 x 67 cm With frame 92 x 78 cm The composition of this floral still life is highly articulated: in fact, next to the usual botanical theme, the effigy of a Roman emperor appears in the center, as in a medal. Portrayed in profile, according to the typical practice of Roman medal making, he wears a laurel wreath on his head, emblem of imperial royalty. The characterized somatic features, such as the nose and pronounced chin, highlight a portrait intention devoid of any idealization. What might apparently seem like a vase is thus a sort of stand, with three masks on the support and a shell at the top. These details manifest the painter's meticulous rendering of the visual data. The flowers themselves, almost climbing around the central structure, highlight the analysis of botanical reality: the petals, leaves, and stems, plastically defined, light up with different chromatic gradations in the numerous species painted. Carefully observing the composition, the details will be so well defined that one can even glimpse a few drops of water. Everything appears so absolutely natural, as also the exotic parrot, perched on the left, which seems to wink at the viewer, inviting him to observe the painting. The particular stylistic rendering, the colors used, the articulated composition, including the central medallion, the floral cascades and the parrot allow us to refer this work to the hand of a French painter working in the first half of the 18th century. The artist must have been informed of the pictorial production of Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755), of which we remember here by analogy the two still lifes of the Museum of Versailles depicting flowers, animals and busts (see Farè, La vie silencieuse en France, la nature morte au XVIII siècle, pag.111, 1976). The object is in a good state of conservation. With Ars Antiqua it is possible to defer all amounts up to a maximum of € 7,500 at ZERO RATE, for a total of 15 INSTALLMENTS. Ex. Tot. € 4,500 = Monthly installment € 300 for 15 months. Ex. Tot. € 3,600 = Monthly installment € 720 for 5 months. For amounts exceeding € 7,500 or for a longer period of time (over 15 installments), we can provide a personalized payment. Contact us directly for the best quote. LIVE TV – SUNDAY 7.00 PM – 11.00 PM Dig.terr. 126 + 809 SKY - THURSDAY 9.00 PM - 12.00 AM Dig.terr. 134 + 809 SKY – Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social networks Facebook and Youtube All works offered by Ars Antiqua are sold with a certificate of authenticity according to law and an accurate in-depth sheet. It is possible to see the works directly at the Milan showroom gallery, in via Pisacane 55 and 57. We personally organize transports and deliveries of the works, both for Italy and abroad.