Jan Baptist Lambrechts (Antwerp, 1680 – after 1731), In the kitchen

Jan Baptist Lambrechts (Antwerp, 1680 – after 1731) In the kitchen (2) Oil on panel, 26 X 22 cm With frame, 42 x 38 cm Signed at the bottom Published on RKD     Jan Baptist Lambrechts, an 18th-century Flemish painter, distinguished himself with a meticulous painting technique, characterized by a fine brushstroke and an ambitious attention to composition. His focus was on lively and popular genre scenes, preferring figures such as cooks, maids, street vegetable vendors, peasants engaged in dances, and tavern patrons, recurring subjects in his production, as evidenced by the paintings analyzed here. This work in particular reveals Lambrechts' mastery in rendering luxurious fabrics and defining almost portrait-like physiognomies. The observer is struck by the precision of the details, ranging from rustic terracotta jugs to the simple napkin resting on the table, to the delicate interplay of light that animates the surface of the glasses. Lambrechts' biography informs us of his birth in Antwerp, son of Jacob and Anna Deckers. Orphaned at a young age, it was his half-brother Jeroom Lambrechts who recognized his talent, allowing him to cultivate his artistic abilities through a self-taught path. In 1703, he embarked on a trip to Lille with the intention of marketing his works during the annual fair, an event that began a period of wanderings. His return to Antwerp occurred only in 1709, a significant year as it marked his official entry into the local Guild of Saint Luke with the achievement of the title of master. His ability and peculiar style led him to be appreciated even outside the Flemish borders, as evidenced by the presence of his works in prestigious museum collections such as the Uffizi in Florence and the Hermitage, in addition to their regular appearance on the international art market.