18th Century Dutch Floral Still Life - Attributed To Pieter Casteels III (1684-1749)

Fine, monumental and highly decorative Dutch floral still life from the beginning of the 18th century attributed to Pieter Casteels (1684–1749) A collection of intensely colored flowers and entangled foliage explodes on this canvas as if it were plucked from the most paradisiacal garden of the earth. There are tulips, roses, daffodils, lilacs, apple blossoms and, most importantly, tulips in the form of the rare Semper Augustus tulip. It is believed that only twelve of these mania tulip bulbs actually flowered, but hundreds of them survive in painted form. As with other superlative Dutch flower paintings, this piece is also an exercise in artifice, it features a collection of foliage and flowers that could never have flourished together. This painting was probably reconstructed by the artist to form a collection of individual studies rather than painted from life. This highly detailed study also includes delightful details such as tiny dewdrops and the light bouncing off a blue and white Chinese bowl. It is presented in an excellent state of conservation in an old frame of "lely style" with floral cartridges. Pieter Casteels (1684–1749) Casteels was a Flemish artist and printmaker who spent part of his life in England. He has had a varied career as a still life painter, printmaker and textile designer. He was mainly known for his flower pieces, game pieces and bird scenes Pieter Casteels III was born in Antwerp as the son of Elisabeth Bosschaert and Pieter Casteels II, painter of landscapes and history paintings . He trained with his father. In 1708, he left with his brother-in-law Peter Tillemans to England to work for a picture dealer named Turner for whom they made copies of old master paintings. Casteels became an active participant in the London art community, subscribing to the Kneller Academy of Painting and Drawing in 1711 and becoming a member of the Rose and Crown Club. [5] He returned briefly to Antwerp in 1712 where he became a member of the local Guild of Saint-Luc the same year. Casteels settled permanently in England around 1717. He successfully developed a practice of painting exotic flowers and birds which served mainly for decorative purposes as doors and fireplaces. He simultaneously worked as an art dealer and imported paintings from Europe. His clients included James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby, who purchased imported works of art as well as original works by Casteels. In 1726, Casteels launched a subscription for a set of 12 bird prints, which he had engraved from his own designs. The success of this project encouraged him to work on two other publications: the twelve months of flowers and the twelve months of fruit. Casteels announced the usefulness of illustrations in these publications as models for workers in the luxury industries. Casteels was thus able to demonstrate his potential as a textile designer. In May 1735 he retired from painting and spent his last fourteen years working for a calico maker as a residential artist, first at Martin Abbey near Tooting Surrey, and later, briefly, in Richmond in London.He died on May 16, 1749 in Richmond after a long illness. High resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available. Canvas: 51 "x 41" / 132 cm x 104 cm. Framed: 56 "x 47" / 143 cm x 120 cm.