>> 18th CENTURY
Pleasure versus Wisdom.
Italian, 17th Century.
Oil on relined canvas. Very good condition. Desirable landscape with classical ruins and foreground figures, at odds, engaged in spirited discussion - the erect Old Philosopher lecturing two reclining, scantily-robed men who, ostensibly lacking in discipline and interest to develop their mental acuities, are merely content enjoying leisure and pleasures of the flesh. A clever parallel "argument" between the barking dog (symbolic of impulse and instinct) and the inert unresponsive Gabriel garden statuary (symbolizing universal unchanging truths and wisdom, transcending the mortal plane), reminds us that the Generation Gap is not unique to our age but has persisted for eons, proving Harry Truman's cogent statement that "The only thing new in this world is the History we don't know".
Size unframed (cm / inches) 58 x 73 cm (22,8 by 28,7 inches). Size framed (cm / inches) 74 x 89 cm (29,1 by 35 inches).
The frame is 18th century, hand-carved.
The Journey of Life.
Peter von Bemmel (1685-1754).
Well-painted masterwork of Peter von Bemmel (1685-1754), signed lower right
"P V Bemel" in characteristically dark Dutch tones - chocolate browns and forest greens, depicting a young family (man on horseback, mother, child and dog) beginning their journey together into the lushness of life and the unknown, while another, more distant solitary figure (perhaps representative of the individual futures of us all, eventually challenged by infirmities, forced by circumstance to navigate alone, but always resolutely moving forward) a man with cane makes his way to the vanishing point of the scene, a church bathed in light.
Expertise Dr. Wolf Elermann. 18th Century. Oil on relined canvas. Unframed size: 75 x 82 cm (25.6 x 32.3 inches). Framed size: 77 x 94 cm (30.3 x 37 inches).
Frame is 19th Century.
The Commission.
(The Patron's Aesthetic).
Unsigned, unidentified Flemish artist.
Early 18th century, circa 1720. Oil on relined canvas. The classic dilemma and struggle of artistic integrity with the practical realities of commercial success. A sculptor's studio is invaded by an overbearing, overdressed corpulent patron who proceeds to ironically inflict his own aesthetic and standard of beauty on the poor artist, literally directing the carving of the marble statue of an idealized woman, who, in real life, would not likely be seen in the company of the patron, at least not without a monetary incentive. The look of dutiful disdain on the sculptor's face is priceless.
Unframed size: 45.5 x 55.5 cm (17.9 x 21.9 inches). Framed size: 66 x 74 cm (26 x 29.1 inches). Very good condition. Black light reveals some early restoration. Antique frame.
Prices on Request. Please feel free to contact us for details.
Detail 1
Detail 2
Fidelity and Eternity.
Angelo Maria Crivelli, active Milan
also called Crivellone ( ? - 1730)
Early 18th century Old Master painting, circa 1700/1720. Oil on relined canvas. An initially-enigmatic, but ultimately-deeply religious painting where symbolic references to Christ abound. Two dogs (infinitely loyal and steadfast in their loving kindness, hence the name 'fido', Latin for 'fidelity') stand guard to the central figure peacock, the symbol of both the resurrection and immortality, and as such linked directly to Christ. The rabbit, being a symbol of love and faith in several religions, also represents fertility and renewal (another reference to the resurrection, hence the more secular bunny at Easter), this also portrayed in the foreground in the opened fruit (St.Augustine saw the walnut as a symbol of Christ, with the shell as the wood of the cross and the kernel as the life-giving nature of Christ). Finally, the single white rose, which holds great significance to Christians, represents the purity of the Virgin Mary, its five petals identified with the five wounds of Christ, also represents heavenliness and is an expression of spiritual love and respect.
Unframed size: 30 x 33 cm (11.8 x13 inches). Framed size: 49.5 x 52 cm (19.5 x 20.5 inches). Very good condition. Newer frame.
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669).
The artist's self portrait, fec. 18th century
Early self-portrait from quintessential Old Master painter and printmaker, Choice image and an early posthumous impression.
Unsigned. Etching mounted on paper.
Very good condition. The paper has turned slightly brown with some foxing. Print has been cut over the plate edge which is typical of the trimming of early prints which were collected and preserved by mounting in folio.. Sheet size: 18 x 15 cm (6 x 7.25 inches). Framed size: 30 x 33 cm (11 7/8 x 13 1/8 inches). Antique frame.
Albrecht Durer
b. Nürnberg 1471, d. s.p. 1528.
The Mass of St. Gregory
Signed and dated in print with monogram 1511. Date of print c. 1590. Woodcut.
Meder 226 (g), Bartsch 123, Hollstein 1833. Watermark: Crowned profile head in a circle (Meder 11 a).
Woodcut. Sheet size 30 x 20.2 cm. Unframed. Split and paper loss in upper left corner triangle nicely restored and retouched. Several smaller holes/tears all over also nicely restored. A split in the paper (c. 3 cm.) in the lower left corner.
Business Antique and Contemporary European and American fine art, paintings, folk art, art about art, and publisher of original limited edition graphics
antique, contemporary, European, American, fine art, paintings, oil on canvas, o/c, folk art, original, graphics, limited edition, drawing, etching, lithograph, poster, engraving, photograph, landscape, portrait, still life, realism, surrealism, art about art, rembrandt, albrecht durer, MARZ, angelo maria crivelli, peter von bemmel, walter zuchors
Business Antique and Contemporary European and American fine art, paintings, folk art, art about art, and publisher of original limited edition graphics
antique, contemporary, European, American, fine art, paintings, oil on canvas, o/c, folk art, original, graphics, limited edition, drawing, etching, lithograph, poster, engraving, photograph, landscape, portrait, still life, realism, surrealism, art about art, rembrandt, albrecht durer, MARZ, angelo maria crivelli, peter von bemmel, walter zuchors
Business Antique and Contemporary European and American fine art, paintings, folk art, art about art, and publisher of original limited edition graphics
antique, contemporary, European, American, fine art, paintings, oil on canvas, o/c, folk art, original, graphics, limited edition, drawing, etching, lithograph, poster, engraving, photograph, landscape, portrait, still life, realism, surrealism, art about art, rembrandt, albrecht durer, MARZ, angelo maria crivelli, peter von bemmel, walter zuchors
Business Antique and Contemporary European and American fine art, paintings, folk art, art about art, and publisher of original limited edition graphics
antique, contemporary, European, American, fine art, paintings, oil on canvas, o/c, folk art, original, graphics, limited edition, drawing, etching, lithograph, poster, engraving, photograph, landscape, portrait, still life, realism, surrealism, art about art, rembrandt, albrecht durer, MARZ, angelo maria crivelli, peter von bemmel, walter zuchors
