Franciscus Gijsbrechts. Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils - photo 1
Franciscus Gijsbrechts. Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils - photo 2
Franciscus Gijsbrechts. Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils - photo 3
Franciscus Gijsbrechts. Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils - photo 1

Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils

Sold
€ 20 000
Auction dateClassic
02.06.2021 14:00UTC +02:00
Auctioneer
VAN HAM Kunstauktionen GmbH
Event location
Germany, Köln
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 548799
Lot 962 | Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils
GIJSBRECHTS, FRANCISCUS
1649 Antwerp - ca. 1677


Title: Trompe-l'oeil of a Vanitas Still Life with Clock and Skull on a Shelf on a Wall, Next to it Painting Utensils.
Technique: Oil on canvas.
Mounting: Relined.
Measurement: 143 x 99cm.
Notation: Signed faintly bottom left on the note: F. Gijsbregt.
Frame/Pedestal: Framed.
Exhibitions:
"Mémoires du futur. La collection Olbricht". La Maison Rouge, Paris, 2011/2012;
"Lebenslust & Totentanz", Kunsthalle Krems, 2010.

Provenance:
Collection Jacques Heinrich Bassenge Sr., Dresden 1812-1840;
Inherited by Jacques Heinrich Bassenge Jr., Dresden 1840-1893;
Inherited by Friedrike Bassenge, Dresden 1893-1901;
Inherited by Johanna Held, Dresden 1901-1923;
Auction Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 07.05.2008, Lot 37;
Rafael Valls, London 2009;
Collection Prof. Dr. Thomas Olbricht, Essen, acquired 2010.

The present painting is documented in the database of the RKD, The Hague, under the ill. no. 205299.

Franciscus Gysbrechts was probably the son of the painter Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts. It is certain that he was baptised in Antwerp in 1649 and that he studied under the older artist of the same name, worked closely with him and probably also accompanied him on journeys to the Danish court. Both Gysbrechts were famous for their extremely refined trompe l'oeil paintings.
The present painting, signed by Franciscus Gysbrechts, shakes the viewer's secure point of view in many ways. On the first level, it depicts a wooden wall in the studio: A shelf attached to a wooden wall with painting utensils lying on it leads the viewer into the artist's working space. The semicircular upper end of the painting with the painted blue curtain was added later. On the shelf is a Vanitas still life lavishly staffed with a wide variety of elements, which in turn has trompe-l'oeil qualities: the objects in a stone niche are painted so vividly that they seem to project not only into the pictorial space of the (painted) studio, but also into that of the real viewer. Similar colours and similar materials in the different picture levels intertwine them in a sophisticated way. A play on being and appearance. This in turn leads to the level of content of the picture painted in the painting. Multiple objects demonstrate that the world of the senses and earthly wealth is fleeting and vain. Time, transience and death are to be brought to the viewer's mind, whereby the crown of corn stalks worn by the skull points to the Eucharist and the eternal life that is actually to be striven for.
With the "total painting", Franciscus Gysbrechts thus also questions the ephemeral art of painting itself with all its sophistication, and challenges the viewer to permanently question his real and spiritual standpoints.
Applied technique:Oil paint
Auction house category:Old Masters
Address of auction VAN HAM Kunstauktionen GmbH
Hitzelerstr. 2
50968 Köln
Germany
Preview
27.05.2021 – 30.05.2021
Phone +49 221 92586215
Fax +49 221 92 58 62 4
Email
4FQ.4SU-3S1@Y3GR3F@
Buyer Premium 29%
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 10:00 – 17:00   
Tu 10:00 – 17:00   
We 10:00 – 17:00   
Th 10:00 – 17:00   
Fr 10:00 – 17:00   
Sa 10:00 – 13:00   
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.