VAN SPAENDONCK Gerardus (1746-1822), STILL LIFE FLOWERS, GOLD MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL BOX

TECHNIQUE: Watercolor and gouache on velum, protected under glass

ARSTIST: VAN SPAENDONCK Gérard (1746-1822)

SIGNED: G.V. Spaen....

FRAME : Original gold mounted tortoiseshell box (no marks)

PORTRAIT SIZE: 7cm

FRAME SIZE: 8x2,5cm

DESCRIPTION :

Still life flowers, signed lower right : G. V. Spaen(donck)

Gérard (or Gerardus) van Spaendonck is famed for his flower painting, in miniature, larger scale and botanical formats. He was born in Tilburg and studied in Antwerp, moving to Paris in 1769. Appointed miniaturist to Louis XVI in 1774, his floral miniatures set into snuff boxes became hugely sought after. In 1780 he became Professor of Floral Painting at the Jardin des Plantes. Post-revolution he was one of the first members of the Academy of Fine Arts, was awarded the Légion d'honneur in 1804 and the following year was ennobled by Napoleon.

Provenance : The Hoffenreich Collection of Snuff Boxes, Vienna


CONDITION: Very good original condition

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Bénézit, Lespinasse, Blattel, Schidlof, Darmon, Foster, Thème et Becker, Lemoine Bouchard