Lot 37: Jan Baptist van Fornenburgh , Active in The Hague circa 1585/95 - 1648/9 still life with tulips, crocuses, primroses and other flowers in a vase on a stone plinth with shells oil on panel

oil on panel

measurements note 46.5 by 39 cm.; 18 1/4 by 15 1/4 in.

Amsterdam, Kunsthandel P. de Boer, Fine Old Master Paintings, June 1971, no 10.

With Alfred Brod, London, November 1970;
With P. de Boer, Amsterdam.

Van Fornenburgh was born in Delft but was active in the Hague where he enrolled in the Painter's Guild in 1629. Whilst he is most commonly described as a follower of Ambrosius Bosschaert he was also influenced by fellow Hague artist Jacques de Gheyn's botanical drawings and watercolours. The influence of each artist is evident in the present work; the shells on the marble ledge are a motif derived directly from Bosschaert, as is the floral arrangment, while the muted palette recalls that of de Gheyn's watercolours. In addition to the many panels he painted in the manner of Bosschaert (see also lot 54 in this sale), Fornenburgh also executed numerous highly detailed watercolours and gouaches on vellum in the manner of de Gheyn; see. for example, the still life sold in these Rooms, 30 November 1993, lot 4.