Lotto 48 | David De Coninck (Attributed to) - Still Life with Animals Surrounding the Medici Vase, 17th Century

Lot-Art Auctions - Prins Hendrikkade 104A, 1011AJ Amsterdam

David De Coninck (Attributed to) - Still Life with Animals Surrounding the Medici Vase, 17th Century

David De Coninck (Attributed to) - Still Life with Animals Surrounding the Medici Vase, 17th Century Oil on canvas. Size of canvas 61,5x72,5 cm. In gilded frame.

Still Life with Animals sorrounding the Medici Vase in the Park of Villa Medici in Rome.
The present painting depicts a gathering of animals around the famous Medici vase, until the 18th century in the villa of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany at the Pincio in Roma. The painting is closely related to Stefano Della Bella'setching, as shown by the presence of the obelisk in the background (see picture). However, for this painting De Coninck preferred a three-quarter view. De Coninck was a pupil of Pieter Boel, from whom he faithfully reproduced many figures, and was strongly influenced by Jan Fyt. Once he arrived in Rome in 1671, he was able to enjoy a very wide popularity that allowed him to be admitted to the Academy of San Luca in 1686.

Composition: next to the monumental vase, we witness the beginning of a clash between roosters. On the left, frightened, two hens flee. On the right, on the contrary, none of the animals seems to pay attention to the fight: a third rooster looks outside the scene. The white rabbit, which is so reminiscent of Dürer's hare, breaks the fourth wall and fixes the observer straight.

We thank Dr. Simone Andreoni for confirming the attribution to David De Coninck.
Provenance: Private Collection, Amsterdam