Pieter Harmensz. Verelst - Still Life with a Chest, Dish, Rummer, Columbine Cup, Pomegranate, Lemons, and Olives

Pieter Harmensz. Verelst

Still Life with a Chest, Dish, Rummer, Columbine Cup, Pomegranate, Lemons, and Olives

Oil on canvas (relined). 94.5 x 117 cm.
Signed and dated lower right: P. Verelst 1654.

The oeuvre of Pieter Harmensz. Verelst encompasses banquet still lifes, kitchen scenes, game still lifes, and genre scenes. "Banketjes" such as the present work are exceedingly rare. All of Verelst's works are characterised by the same atmospheric effects of light and shadow. Whilst the monochrome background, the chest and the glasses are obscured by shadow, the cup, dish, fruit, and serviette are brightly illuminated and appear close enough to touch.
Dr Fred G. Meijer confirmed the authenticity of this work in a letter dated 30.10.2018.

Provenance

Auctioned by Christie's, London, 20.02.81, lot 49. - Belgian private collection.

Literature

Cf. Gemar-Koeltzsch, Erika: Holländische Stilllebenmaler im 17. Jahrhundert, Lingen, 1995, (ed. by Ertz/Nitze-Errtz), vol. 3, p. 1029-1030, illus. 404/1.