Jean-François Eliaerts Belgian, 1761-1848

Jean Francois Eliaerts was one of the Dutch painters who worked in Paris around 1800, where he exhibited regularly at the prestigious Paris Salon. It was here that Eliaerts introduced the Dutch still life style of the mid-eighteenth century into France, a style which had always been at the forefront of the genre.

French still lives had always shown the combined influence of Italian and Dutch prototypes, but in the mid-seventeenth century the Dutch influence dominated. This was partly due to the fact that many Flemish and Dutch artists lived in Paris during that time. Seventeenth century Dutch flower still lives by artists like Willem van Aelst and Rachel Ruysch marked a new compositional style, which was further refined in the eighteenth century by a.o. Eliaerts. In his turn Eliaerts’ influence was prominent in France; he exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon and, being a Professor at the Institute of the Legion d’Honneur, he had a strong impact on his students.

The present lot is one of the finest examples of Eliaerts’ flower compositions. The subtle variety of pink and orange tones impart a golden warmth to this finely rendered painting, in which every detail emerges with outstanding clarity.