Jan van Kessel I and Jan van Balen, Still life with flowers and butterflies, trompe l'oeil frame and sacred scene, first half of the 17th century Signed I. V. Balen Oil on panel. Dimensions: 68 x 82 cm Price: private negotiation object accompanied by our certificate of authenticity The painting, of considerable quality, features a rich floral composition adorning an architectural trompe l'oeil frame, at the center of which opens a small scene with the Holy Family, the young Saint John, and a putto, following a compositional typology typical of the collaborations between Jan van Kessel I (1626–1679) and Jan van Balen (1611–1654) within the context of 17th-century Flemish garland painting. Against a very dark background, a large illusionistic frame of carved faux stone emerges, with sinuous volutes and ample shaped surfaces, simulating a monumental altarpiece frame or a Baroque carte de glorie frame; the plastic effect is accentuated by warm chiaroscuro and sharp shadows that highlight its recesses and protrusions. The inner profile, opening as a curvilinear oval, houses the central devotional scene. The trompe l'oeil frame is signed I.V. Balen on a molding. Around this architectural structure, garland compositions and groups of flowers develop, falling naturally: striped tulips, roses, carnations, dahlias, and small wildflowers can be recognized, rendered with extreme descriptive detail, according to Jan van Kessel I's usual naturalistic skill in depicting botanical species. Butterflies rest delicately on some flowers. The colors, playing on the balanced alternation of deep reds, pinks, whites, yellows, and bright oranges, stand out against the dark background, dialoguing with the intense green of the leaves and ivy tendrils, creating a refined chromatic contrast and a strong sense of depth. Furthermore, the painting on panel ensures a more saturated and intense chromatic rendering. In the central medallion, the Holy Family is depicted with the young Saint John and a putto: the Virgin, seated in the foreground, holds the Child in her arms, who turns towards John, offering him a small lamb, a clear reference to Christ's future sacrifice; in the background, the figure of Saint Joseph can be glimpsed, slightly set back, watching over the scene with a contemplative air. The palette of the figurative part, with muted brown and red tones, distinguishes itself from that of the garland, highlighting the different hand of the figure painter, Jan van Balen, compared to the flower specialist Jan van Kessel I, according to a well-documented collaborative practice in Flemish painting of the time. Due to its dimensions, the preciousness of the execution on panel, and the refined balance between devotional component and decorative virtuosity, the work is perfectly suited as a private devotional painting or as a collectible wall piece, ideal for a classic setting or to dialogue in a contemporary context with designer furniture. The painting is accompanied by a carved and gilded wooden frame. Historical-artistic studies are currently underway.

Period: 17th century

• Author   Jan van Kessel I e Jan van Balen
• Info
• Phone: Andrea +39 348 4935001