Joannes Hermans called Monsù Aurora Antwerp? circa 1630 - after 1665 Rome

Hermans was of Flemish origin - he is listed as a member of the Antwerp guild in 1644 and 1645 - but he moved to Rome, where he is recorded from 1658 with the nickname 'Monsù Aurora'. Hermans painted still lifes for a number of important aristocratic families in Rome, namely the Corsini, Colonna, and Barberini, and between 1656 and 1658 he was employed by Don Camillo Pamphilij to produce a series of thirty-eight small-scale paintings of birds, of which a number are still in the collection of the Galleria Doria Pamphilij, Rome, and one of which is signed ¹ . The present painting almost certainly once formed part of the Pamphilij commission for the canvas' dimensions are almost identical to those of the works in the Galleria Doria Pamphilij mentioned above (which measure 58.5 by 74.5 cm.). Hermans approaches his subject-matter with what has been described as a degree of 'surrealism' and yet he uses both light and colour to render the birds' feathers with startling naturalism. Hermans' painting of ciuffolotti in the Galleria Doria Pamphilij (inv. FC 598) may be compared with the present work both for its composition and astonishing realism.

1. For three of the series see F. Paliaga, in M. Gregori ed., Natura morta italiana da Caravaggio al Settecento, exhibition catalogue, Firenze, Palazzo Strozzi, 26 June - 12 October 2003, p. 396, all reproduced in colour. The painting representing partridges is signed with initials: J.H.F. (Joannes Hermans Fecit).