Lot 68: Attributed to Gabriel Germain Joncherie (active 1830-1844)

Still life with brazier and eggs
oil on canvas
18 7/8 x 15 1/4 in. (48 x 38.6 cm.)

R. de Leeuw, Van Gogh Museum Journal, "In the light of Chardin: Chardinesque still lifes by Philippe Rousseau and some of his contemporaries", Amsterdam, 1995, p. 106, fig. 7, illustrated.

D.A. Hoogendijk, Amsterdam.
Thence by descent to the present owner.

The present work was painted either by Joncherie or by Philippe Rousseau (1816-1887). Both artists continued a tradition of still-life painting established by Chardin, which was further prolonged by artists such as François Bonvin, Thédore Ribot and Antoine Vollon.

Both Rousseau and Joncherie painted in a similar style. The attribution to the former, accepted also by some scholars (see literature above), is due primarily, however, to an old inscription and to notes left by the father of the present owner suggesting that a signature was once visible on the canvas. However, the fact that Rousseau would have been only 14 years old if the inscription on the stretcher is correct, combined with the recent appearance on the London art market of an almost identical painting, showing the same eggs, plate, fork and stove, signed by Joncherie and dated 1839, make an attribution to the latter artist much more likely.

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.