Paul Dorival

Former collection Mestrallet, Paris in 1974

C. Benedict, "Petits Maitres de la Nature Morte en France", in L'Oeil n°91-92, juillet-août 1962, p. 40 et 44 ;
M. Faré, Le Grand Siècle de la nature morte en France, 1974, p. 144-145 (signed and dated on the original canvas Dorival 1660) ;
C. Wright, The French Painters of the Seventeenth Century, 1985, p. 177 ;
E. Coatalem, La nature morte française au XVIIe siècle, Paris, 2017, p. 150, ill. (signed and dated 1660)

A l'oeil nu : Le tableau se présente dans un état de conservation relativement satisfaisant. Il a fait l'objet d'un rentoilage dans la 2e moitié du XXe siècle, correctement réalisé et qui n'a pas tassé la matière. Le tableau est sous un vernis légèrement encrassé. On remarque une trace de pliure verticale sur toute la hauteur à 13 cm. du bord gauche mais qui ne gêne pas la lecture de l'oeuvre. On remarque aussi une restauration à gauche du panier, sur l'entablement entre les deux branchages. A la lampe U.V. : Le tableau apparaît sous un vernis vert très épais et uniforme. On remarque quelques restaurations anciennes vers le coin inférieur gauche, sur l'entablement. Le panier et les raisins sont bien préservés. To the naked eye: The painting is in quite satisfactory condition. It has been correctly relined during the second half of the 20th century, so it did not flattened the matter. The painting is under a slightly dirty varnish. We notice a vertical folding mark all over the height of the painting, 13 cm. from the left margin, but it does not bother the lecture of the composition. We notice a restoration on the left of the basket, on the ledge between the two branches. Under U.V. light: The painting is under a very thick green uniform varnish. We notice some former restorations at the lower left corner, on the ledge. The basket and the grapes are well preserved.
"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."

Documented as signed and dated on the verso of its original canvas, our painting, formerly in the Mestrallet collection in 1974 is one of only two known works signed and dated from Paul Dorival's corpus. Artist listed in the Grenoble region, art history does not yet know much about his career. This work is thus an extremely important study and attests to the culture of the artist of still life works during the first half of the 17th century adopting typical compositions with a very low ledge. This characteristic reveals that the artist must have known works by artists outside of France like Isaac Soreau or even French like Louyse Moillon.