Cornelis de Heem

With Gebr. Douwes, Amsterdam, inv. no. 4278, by 1928;
With P. de Boer, Amsterdam;
In the collection of the present owner's family probably since at least the 1960s.

The canvas has a sound old relining. The paint surface is now a little dirty and its varnish layer a little uneven and discoloured. The paint surface overall is beautifully preserved with only small areas of wear to the finer details of the wine and beer glasses and parts of the background, the knife, grapes and the ledge. There are no major damages or repairs. Ultraviolet light reveals careful retouchings to certain areas, for example, to the stem of the wine glass and the wall behind it, to small losses above the roemer and the fig and to scattered retouchings in the background, notably to the left side, behind the vine leaves and around their stems and the edges of the stone ledge to the lower left. The background would appear to have been washed over at some point, but the general body of the still life appears completely in tact with little or no later intervention. The blue of the plums and the porcelain bowl have bloomed a little. The restoration was all well carried out but has now discoloured and is often visible to the naked eye, notably around the ledge. This lot is offered with a later French style gilt wood frame, numerous small chips and losses of gilt.
"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."

In his formative years Cornelis de Heem was trained in the studio of his father Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606–1683/4) in Antwerp. This phase lasted until 1660–61, when he was admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp as a painter in his own right. The present work clearly reflects the work of his father in both colouring and design and probably dates to the late 1650s or early 1660s. Comparable works from this period include, for example, the Still-life with a wine glass and oysters of similar size (panel, 46.5 x 64.4 cm.) in the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, which is signed and dated 1659.¹ The motifs of the façon de Venise wine glass filled with blackberry sprigs, the Delft bowl and the distinctive curved stone arch behind may be found in another signed canvas sold London, Phillips, 5 December 1989, lot 120.

1. Q. Buvelot, M. Hilaire and O. Zeder, Tableaux flamands et hollandais du Musée Fabre de Montpellier, Paris–Zwolle 1998, pp. 60–62.