Magnificent pair of Spanish still lifes, Espinosa way, Juan de...

Magnificent pair of Spanish still lifes, Espinosa way, Juan de (1628, Doc. 1659)

Spanish school of the 17th - 18th centuries. Pair of oil paintings on canvas, each canvas measures: 80 x 60 cm, measures with frames: 90 x 70 cm. Painter documented in Madrid during the first half of the 17th century in Madrid, and whose name appears mentioned in relation to other Madrid painters in documents dated 1628 and 1659. Other preserved news seems to increase the imprecision of his figure since working at the Court he had at least two painters of the same name; one of them had already died in 1614 and the second was a resident of the capital in 1651 and was so in subsequent years. Of great pictorial virtuosity, which become almost like the master's signature, as well as seashells, birds and ceramic pieces brought from America. His artistic formulation demonstrates that he was well aware of the resources of chiaroscuroism of the first third of the century with the aim of achieving contrasts that accentuate the volume of the forms that he puts into play in each of his works. He must have been an artist of some renown since he appears frequently cited in inventories of private properties of the time. Currently, works by this author are known in private and public collections in Madrid, Paris and London and in them Espinosa proves to be a determined cultivator of that tenebrism that does not renounce the luminous effect stylistically related to Juan Fernández "the Labrador" (Luna, JJ: The Spanish still life in the Prado. From Van der Hamen to Goya, Museo Nacional del Prado, 2008, p. 160).School