Jacob Melchior van Herck (active 1691-1735), A still life with a floral cartouche surrounding a landscape

Attributed to Jacob Melchior van Herck (Flemish, active 1691-1735) A still life with a floral cartouche surrounding a landscape Oil on canvas laid on board 23-7/8 x 29 inches (60.6 x 73.7 cm) Property from the Estate of Richard (Dick) Callaway Like the vast majority of paintings by Jacob Melchior van Herck, the present floral wreath is strongly reminiscent of the work of the artist's brother-in-law, Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen the Younger, but slightly harder in handling. The few signed examples of works by van Herck can be compared favorably to this attributed work (Galerie Fiévez, Brussels, June 6, 1931, lots 45 and 46; Christie's, Amsterdam, May 14, 2002, lot 57), as well as an attributed painting of flowers with an ornamental urn which has a passage of narcissi very close in execution to the present work (Christie's, London, April 22, 1994, lot 143 as "G P Verbruggen II.") We are grateful to Dr. Fred G. Meijer for the attribution of this painting on the basis of photographs, as well as for his kind assistance in cataloguing this lot. He notes that because van Herck's and Verbruggen's handling is so close, he cannot entirely rule out Verbruggen as the author of the present work.

HID09710052018

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Condition Report: Oil on canvas laid down on board. Under UV exam, there is a heavy discolored varnish making it difficult to determine possible past restoration; some retouching in the dark leaves throughout the floral arrangement; Craquelure throughout; Surface dirt most apparent in the bottom half of the work and discolored varnish. Framed Dimensions 39.75 X 36 Inches