Lot 15: Ernest de Lairesse (Liège 1636-1718 Amsterdam)

Trouts on a silver platter, a façon de Venise wine glass, a nautilus gold mounted mother-of-pearl jar with cover, with gold cupid final, fruit, walnuts, carnations and a lobster, on a draped table, two song birds nearby
signed and dated 'Ernest de Lairesse anno 1672' (lower left)
oil on panel
43.4 x 63.2 cm.

Little is known about the artist, who was the elder brother of the better known Gérard de Lairesse (1641-1711), although he was active in Rome from 1662-1664, as well as in Liège, Bonn and Amsterdam (see A. van der Willigen and F.G. Meijer, A Dictionary of Dutch and Flemish Still-life Painters Working in Oils, 1525-1725, Leiden, 2003, p. 128). Only one other Still life by the artist is recorded; sold, Lempertz, Cologne, 24 May 1997, lot 1062.

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