Daniel Seghers

With Silvano Lodi, Munich, from whom acquired by Dr. Rau;
Bequeathed by Dr. Rau to the Foundation of the German Committee for UNICEF.

Remagen, Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck, Kunstkammer Rau. Köstlich! Stillleben von Franz Snyders bis Giorgio Morandi, 10 February–14 October 2012.

S. Blöcker, Kunstkammer Rau. Köstlich! Stillleben von Franz Snyders bis Giorgio Morandi, exhibition catalogue, Bielefeld 2012.

The panel is contained within a humidity- controlled box and it is thus not possible to inspect the reverse. The support is very flat and stable and the paint surface exceptionally well- preserved, especially in the blooms and foliage where the original brushtrokes are all discernable. There are some localized areas of wear and thinness mostly in the background and particularly on the sides of the stone niche. In the centre left margin there is a relatively large area of restored damage, approxiametly 10 by 7 cm. Some of the darker leaves have, too, been restored. In general the paintings is in very good condition and requires no immediate attention. Sold in a later parcel- guilt wood frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Within the genre of still-life painting, Seghers was the originator of the popular concept of flower garlands decorating a cartouche and such works make up the vast majority of the two hundred and thirty nine paintings listed in his workshop at his death. This example dates to Seghers’ prime and was painted in the same year as the garland in the Gemäldegalerie in Dresden, and the year before both the cartouche with a hyacinth in the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, and another cartouche in the Staatliche Kunsthaus in Karlsruhe.

The Virgin and Child are most likely by Erasmus Quellinus, with whom Seghers often collaborated. The last part of the signature records Seghers’ membership of the Society of Jesus, into which he was received in 1614.