Nicolas Baudesson (Troyes 1611–1680 Paris)

A pair of still lifes of flowers in baskets, oil on canvas, each 45 x 65 cm, framed

We are grateful to Dr. Claudia Salvi for identifying the present paintings as autograph works by Baudesson (written certificate). Baudesson is considered to be one the best flower painters of his time. He was aware of both schools of French still life painting in the 17th century: the first, the school of still life painting influenced by artists from Flanders and the Netherlands, sought to achieve the perfect imitation of nature in the manner of de Heem; the second, in the second half of the century, aimed towards magnificent still lifes in the decorative Italianate style embodied by Jean Baptiste Monnoyer. Baudesson’s works are examples of still lifes from the transitional period in the middle of the century. Thus while this pair of paintings is certainly composed with the intention of creating a decorative effect, they also display a stylistic characteristic of the first half of the century: with a concentration on several of the delicately defined flowers. Both baskets give the impression of being especially precious thanks to the choice of magnificently colourful flowers. This allows the supposition, according to Claudia Salvi, that the present paintings were produced after Baudesson had been to Italy at the end of the 1650.

专家: Dr. Alexander Strasoldo