François Habert
A still life of flowers set on a table with a carpet, a music book and a dog seated on a pillow
Estimate:
40,000
Property from the Estate of Alexis Gregory, sold to benefit the Alexis Gregory Foundation
François Habert
François Habert
A still life of flowers set on a table with a carpet, a music book and a dog seated on a pillow
A still life of flowers set on a table with a carpet, a music book and a dog seated on a pillow
Estimate:
40,000
Property from the Estate of Alexis Gregory, sold to benefit the Alexis Gregory Foundation
François Habert
Active in Paris, mid-17th century
A still life of flowers set on a table with a carpet, a music book and a dog seated on a pillow
signed and dated upper right: F. Habert 1649
oil on canvas
canvas: 44 3/4 by 56 in.; 113.7 by 142.3 cm.
framed: 53 1/2 by 64 1/2 in.; 135.9 by 263.8 cm.
The canvas has been relined. There is a craqueleure pattern throughout and in a few areas the paint layer is lifting slightly, most noticeably at center in the flowers. At bottom right there is an area of paint loss, visible to the naked eye. The varnish has become uneven and has dulled in certain areas, though the colors of the paint layer beneath remain vibrant. There are areas of restoration throughout the canvas which flouresce under ultraviolet light, most noticeably on the right edge and along the top edge. There are also some larger areas of inpainting to the right of the music book at right. These restorations have blanched slightly so many of them are visible if looking carefully with the naked eye. Offered in a carved giltwood frame.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.
There acquired.
A pupil of the famous still life painter Jan Davidsz de Heem, François Habert was active in Paris from about 1643-1652, though little is known about his life, including whether he was French or Flemish. As Eric Coatalem notes, the prices listed for his paintings in 18th century inventories indicate that he was an important and successful artist.1 Both Dutch and Flemish influences are evident in this grand and complex composition, which he has proudly signed at right. Habert's paintings, of which only a handful are known today, range from smaller and more simple still lifes to large-scale, grand tablescapes with ornate fabrics, food, and objects such as the present painting.
1. E. Coatalem, La nature morte française au XVIIe siècle, Dijon 2014, p. 184.