DAEL, Jan Frans van

In this flower still-life, the brightness and vivacity of the bouquet are reinforced by the realism of water drops on the rose leaf, colour processing and the depiction of veins on the marble ledge.

The painting signed and dated lower right: Van dael / 1825.

Jan Frans van Dael was a self-taught painter who moved to Paris in 1786. The purity of his colours, the ingenious combination of his flowers, the freshness and harmony that prevailed in all his compositions formed his talent that was quickly recognized and rewarded with numerous awards, therefore giving the artist a distinguished place among the best floral painters.

The painting is signed lower right: Van dael.

The painting depicts a still-life of roses and other flowers, with plums in a tall basket, grapes, apricots and gooseberries all upon a white marble ledge, two butterflies fluttering.

The panel is signed and dated lower right: j f van dael 1814.

The picture shows a still life with fritillaria imperialis, roses and tulips in a stone vase, on a red marble ledge.

Jan Frans van Dael was one of the most highly regarded painters of flowers and fruit in Paris during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The present work is one of his earliest. The rather dark background is characteristic of his early compositions, illuminated by a bright but soft light, which allows for the meticulous articulation of every intricate detail and assorted texture, as well as the convincing impression of depth and substance.