1629 - JORIS VAN SON

JORIS VAN SON (circle of) Still Life with a Nautilus and Fruit on a Table Oil on canvas, 94x69 cm The painting depicts a still life in the Flemish style with a generally rather dark composition. On a table covered with a reddish cloth are piled light and dark bunches of grapes, blue figs, apples, plums, and sprigs of grapevine with detailed leaves. In the center stands a precious cup carved from a nautilus shell mounted on a metal stand, next to a glass goblet containing wine. Small blue and white flowers (bellflowers or bindweeds) hang down from beneath the tabletop. The painting is inspired by the style of Joris van Son, who enjoyed an excellent reputation in his day. He specialized in still lifes that are now housed in the world’s most important museums. He had numerous students and three sons, one of whom, Jan Frans, imitated his father’s works (he could be considered the author of this painting).