Figs in a basket, peaches, a watermelon, scallops, crabs, dead fish and birds on a ledge in a landscape

Details

Circle of Giacomo Recco (Naples 1603-before 1653)
Figs in a basket, peaches, a watermelon, scallops, crabs, dead fish and birds on a ledge in a landscape
with the Schulenburg inventory number '151' (lower left)
oil on canvas, unlined
43¼ x 57¼ in. (109.8 x 145.4 cm.)
inscribed on the reverse 'Unveräusserliches Eigentum des Gräflich Schulenburgschen Hauses Hehlen [sic] in Hehlen o/d W.'

Provenance

Acquired on 20 October 1735 by Field Marshal Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg (1661-1747) and by descent to the present owner.

Literature

Inventario Generale della Gallerie di S: Eccellza Felt Marescial Conte di Sculembourgh, Venice, 30 May 1738, 'Abbate Don Paulo - 4 Quadri con cornici Dorate Rappresentano Uccelli Salvati, Pesci, e Frutti tutto al Naturale con Architettura', costo 100, stima 600.
Inventario Generale della Galleria S.E. Maresciallo Co: di Schulemburg, Venice, 30 June 1741 'Abbate da Pauolo - Quadri Quatro cornici dorate rapresentano Uccelli Salvatici, Pesci, e Frutti tutto al Naturale con Architectura 3za spne - Taleri 400'.
Inventaire de la Gallerie de Feu S.e. Mgr. Le Feldmareschal Comte de Schulenburg, Berlin, c. 1750, nos. 149-152 (the present picture, no. 151) - 'L'Abbé Dito Paul - 4 - Tableaux, représ. des oiseaux sauvages, des poissons, et des fruits, ce tout au naturel avec architecture.'
A. Binion, La Gallerie scomparsa del mareschiallo von der Schulenburg, Milan 1990, pp. 147, 204, 229, 265 and 278.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

The present picture was acquired by Field Marshal Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg on 20 October 1735 as part of a set of four framed still lifes costing 34 zecchini and 2 lire (Hanover, Niedersächsisches Staatsarchiv, Dep. 82, Abt. III, Nr. 55 Libro Cassa). By the inventory of 1738, the set were given to a certain 'Abbate Don Paulo', an artist who remains, at present, tantalisingly unknown, despite the evident quality of the picture. As Professor Alice Binion notes (private communication), judging by the comparatively high price of 34 zecchini paid by Schulenburg, the artist was clearly highly regarded.

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