Paintings 15th -18th century — Kunst und Antiquitäten
Icilio Federico Joni was an Italian artist known for his exceptional talent in producing forgeries, particularly of Quattrocento paintings. Born in Siena in 1866, Joni's career in art forgery began in a gilding shop, where he honed his skills with wood, plaster, and paint. His forgeries were so convincing that they made their way into renowned collections and questioned the boundaries between counterfeit and creative artistry.
Icilio Federico Joni's works include not only paintings but also forged book covers, imitating the historic Biccherne covers from Siena. His creations, like the Madonna with Child, Saint Mary Magdalene, and Saint Sebastian, showcase his profound ability to adopt and adapt the styles of historic Sienese painters like Neroccio di Bartolomeo and Matteo di Giovanni, infusing them with his own interpretations and variations.
Despite the initial secrecy surrounding his forgeries, Icilio Federico Joni's desire for recognition led him to openly discuss his deceptions in his autobiography. His techniques in aging his creations were so meticulous that they often confused even expert art historians, adding a layer of complexity to the debate over his legacy as either a master forger or a creative genius in his own right.
Joni's story is not just a tale of deception but also a commentary on the art market's vulnerabilities and the thin lines between imitation, inspiration, and fraud. For art collectors and experts, his life and works serve as a fascinating study in the dynamics of authenticity and value in the art world.
For those intrigued by the enigmatic world of art forgeries and the exceptional craftsmanship of Icilio Federico Joni, we invite you to sign up for updates. By subscribing, you'll receive notifications about new discoveries, exhibitions, sales, and auction events related to Joni's works and the fascinating realm of art history. Stay informed and delve deeper into the intriguing stories of art and authenticity.
Joachim Patinir (Dutch. Patinier, Patenier) was a Flemish painter, one of the founders of European landscape painting.
Adriaen Isenbrandt was a painter in Bruges, in the final years of Early Netherlandish painting, and the first of the Dutch and Flemish Renaissance painting of the Northern Renaissance. Documentary evidence suggests he was a significant and successful artist of his period, even though no specific works by his hand are clearly documented. Art historians have conjectured that he operated a large workshop specializing in religious subjects and devotional paintings, which were executed in a conservative style in the tradition of the Early Netherlandish painting of the previous century. By his time, the new booming economy of Antwerp had made this the centre of painting in the Low Countries, but the previous centre of Bruges retained considerable prestige.
Frans Pourbus the Elder was a Flemish Renaissance painter born in 1545 in Bruges, known for his portraiture and religious compositions, as well as a few genre scenes. He inherited a rich artistic legacy as the son of the painter Pieter Pourbus and the father of Frans Pourbus the Younger, an internationally recognized portraitist.
Pourbus’ art is celebrated for its meticulous detail and psychological depth, particularly in his portraits which primarily featured members of the rising middle class, high clergy, local aristocrats, and foreign dignitaries. His acute observational skills and subtle modeling of facial features provided a vivid psychological insight into his sitters, as seen in the Portrait of an Unknown Man.
His religious works were often commissioned by patrons outside Antwerp and included significant projects like the History of Saint Andrew and the Triptych of Viglius Aytta for St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent. After the Iconoclastic Fury in 1566, he received a prestigious commission to redecorate the choir of the St. Martin's Abbey church in Tournai.
Pourbus’ works are held in high esteem and can be found in several museums and galleries, such as the National Galleries of Scotland and The National Gallery in London, where his pieces continue to draw the admiration of art collectors and experts in the field.
For enthusiasts and experts in Renaissance art and those interested in the intricate craft of portrait painting, Frans Pourbus the Elder’s work stands as a significant reference point for the cultural and artistic achievements of the period. To remain updated on sales and auction events related to Frans Pourbus the Elder, art collectors and antiques experts are encouraged to sign up for updates. This will ensure that you are always informed about new opportunities to acquire works by or related to this master artist.
Jan Brueghel the Elder, a Flemish painter born in 1568 in Brussels, was a pivotal figure in the Baroque period known for his intricate landscapes, detailed still lifes, and genre scenes. The son of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Jan was distinguished by his delicate brushwork, earning him the nicknames "Velvet" Brueghel, "Flower" Brueghel, and "Paradise" Brueghel, each reflecting a different aspect of his versatile artistic output. His monikers refer to his skill in rendering fabrics, his specialization in flower still lifes, and his creation of the paradise landscape genre, respectively.
After early training in Brussels, possibly under the guidance of his grandmother Mayken Verhulst, and further studies in Antwerp, Brueghel ventured to Italy, where he worked in Rome under the patronage of Cardinal Ascanio Colonna and met influential artists like Paul Bril. His Italian sojourn greatly influenced his style, especially in landscape painting. Upon returning to Antwerp, he established a flourishing workshop and became a master in the Guild of St. Luke. Brueghel's collaborations with Peter Paul Rubens are among the most celebrated in art history, showcasing a harmonious blend of landscape and figure painting.
Jan Brueghel the Elder's works are prized for their vibrant depiction of nature and meticulous attention to detail. His landscapes are not just backdrops but are lively settings filled with rich narratives and a variety of creatures, reflecting his deep appreciation for the natural world. His flower pieces are equally renowned for their variety and realism, often serving as allegorical or symbolic representations.
Brueghel's legacy extends beyond his paintings; he was a pivotal figure in the Antwerp artistic community, serving as dean of the Guild of St. Luke and court painter to the Archduke Albert of Austria and the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain. His influence continued through his children, with his son Jan Brueghel the Younger continuing his workshop and maintaining the family's artistic traditions.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Jan Brueghel the Elder's works represent a high point in Flemish Baroque art, offering a glimpse into the era's aesthetic values and the artist's profound observation of the world around him. His paintings, found in museums and galleries worldwide, continue to captivate audiences with their beauty and depth.
To stay informed about new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Jan Brueghel the Elder's work, consider signing up for updates. This subscription will ensure that you are always in the know about opportunities to engage with the enduring art of this Flemish master.
Cornelis van Poelenburgh was a Dutch landscape painter and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age of painting. He was a leading representative of the first generation of Dutch landscape painters who worked in Rome in the early 17th century. In a group of fellow Dutch Bentvueghels he was nicknamed Satyr. Pulenbrüerg was known for his small paintings depicting Italian landscapes with small figures depicting biblical or mythological scenes.
Carlo Maratta, an Italian painter, was a prominent figure in the Roman school of art during the late 17th century. Known for his classical approach to Baroque painting, Carlo Maratta's works were deeply influenced by the styles of Raphael and Andrea Sacchi, blending classical grandeur with Baroque expressivity. His training under Sacchi and subsequent exposure to Pietro da Cortona's coloristic style significantly shaped his artistic development.
Carlo Maratta's career flourished with a series of public and official commissions, making him a leading painter in Rome, especially after Bernini's death in 1682. His portfolio includes religious paintings, altarpieces, portraits, and fresco cycles, with a notable emphasis on paintings of the Madonna and Child, which reinterpreted High Renaissance motifs. His work was highly esteemed across Europe, influencing not only Italian art but also attracting the attention of English visitors on the Grand Tour.
One of Carlo Maratta's significant contributions to the art world was his involvement in painting restoration towards the end of his career, including works by Raphael and Carracci. This phase underscored his deep connection to the classical art tradition. Maratta passed away in Rome in 1713, leaving behind a legacy that continued to be celebrated in art history.
For art enthusiasts, collectors, and experts, Carlo Maratta's work offers a window into the transition between the Baroque and the emerging Rococo style, embodying a blend of dynamism and classical restraint. His paintings, many of which remain in situ in Roman churches, offer a testament to his enduring influence on Baroque classicism.
To stay updated on exhibitions and insights into Carlo Maratta's works, art aficionados are encouraged to subscribe for updates, ensuring access to the latest research and opportunities to view his celebrated works in museums and galleries around the world.
Andrea Vaccaro was an Italian Baroque painter and one of the greatest representatives of 17th-century Neapolitan painting.
Andrea Vaccaro was very successful and appreciated in his lifetime. He and his workshop produced many works for the local nobility, as well as for export to Spanish religious orders and wealthy patrons. Initially he was influenced by Caravaggio, particularly in his light and naturalistic depiction of his figures.
From 1630 to 1660 he also drew inspiration from the work of artists such as Guido Reni, Antonis van Dyck and Pietro Novelli. His shadowbrism became more illuminated and less harsh under the influence of more balanced sources.
Nicolaes Maes was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life. A pupil of Rembrandt in Amsterdam, he returned to work in his native city of Dordrecht for 20 years. In the latter part of his career he returned to Amsterdam where he became the leading portrait painter of his time. Maes contributed to the development of genre painting in the Netherlands and was the most prominent portrait painter working in Amsterdam in the final three decades of the 17th century.
Aelbert Jacobsz. Cuyp was a Dutch Baroque painter, graphic artist and printmaker.
Aelbert is the successor of a dynasty of painters from Dordrecht. He was one of the leading Dutch landscape painters of the Dutch Golden Age. A pupil of his father, the painter Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp (1594-1651), he is known primarily for his landscapes of the Dutch countryside in the light of early morning or late evening. But Aelbert Cuyp also painted canvases on biblical, mythological, and historical themes, still lifes, and portraits. The Italian style is evident in his works.
Jan van Huchtenburgh was a Dutch painter of the Dutch Golden Age who specialised in battle scenes and landscapes.
Jan van Huchtenburgh was known for his ability to create dramatic and dynamic battle scenes, often depicting historical events of the 17th and 18th centuries. His work is noted for its precision and attention to detail, as well as his use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and drama.
In addition to battle scenes, Huchtenburg was also a skilled landscape painter. He often depicted scenes of the Dutch countryside with rolling hills, winding rivers and expansive skies.
Aert van der Neer was a Dutch painter of the Gilded Age.
Van der Neer is considered a pioneer of the night landscape because of his successful solutions to lighting issues in his works. He painted many pictures of winter landscapes, including nighttime fires.
Gillis Claesz. de Hondecoeter was a Dutch painter, working in a Flemish style, painting landscapes, trees, fowl and birds. Later on d'Hondecoeter painted in a more Dutch, realistic style.