Lot 277: DAVID ÉMILE JOSEPH DE NOTER BELGIAN, 1818-1892 A STILL LIFE WITH FLOWERS AND FRUIT

signed l.r.

oil on canvas

CATALOGUE NOTE

David Emile Joseph de Noter was born in 1818 in Gent, Belgium. He grew up in an artistic environment: his father was the well-known painter of urban sights Jean-Baptiste André de Noter (1787-1855).

David settled down in Brussels in 1840. There he developed his own style, specializing in highly accomplished, polished interiors and still lives. His paintings stand out because of the great attention to detail and depiction of fabrics and textures. Even when depicting a kitchen maid, De Noter portrays her very elegantly.

The current lot is a wonderful example of this refined technique. The bouquet is composed of roses, peonies, Indian cress, amaryllises and an assortment of flowers in vibrant colors. Juicy peaches lie to the left of the vase, a glass dish holds tempting red strawberries next to some hazelnuts in the foreground. A gleaming brass cup complements the elegant composition, which is put together on a deceptively real marble plinth.

De Noter strived for harmony and balance both in his interiors and still lives. In his time he was held in high esteem. His contemporary Henri baron Leys employed him in his studio solely for the purpose of painting vegetables, fruits and flowers. He participated frequently at international exhibitions and won international recognition: he won a bronze medal at the salon in Paris in 1845 and a gold medal in Brussels in 1854. The date and venue of his demise is debated: some state Brussels in 1875, others 1892 in Algiers. Whatever the true moment has been, his legacy remains one of elegance and beauty.

80 by 67 cm.