Lo studio dell’artista
Gerard Thomas (Anversa 1663-1720) Attribuibile a
Gerard Thomas (Antwerp 1663-1720)
Attributed to
The Artist's Studio
Oil on canvas
99 x 115 cm
In frame 70 x 86 cm
This charming painting, depicting the interior of an artist's studio, is attributable to Gerard Thomas (Antwerp 1663-1720), a late Flemish Baroque painter known for his genre paintings depicting the interiors of artists' studios, art galleries, and scenes of alchemists or physicians in their studies.
He was born in Antwerp, where he trained as an apprentice and became a master of the Guild of Saint Luke in 1688-89, later holding the position of dean, the most prestigious position.
This theme is influenced by the tradition of the wunderkammer (literally “chamber of wonders” or “cabinet of curiosities”), which spread among noble and intellectual residences between the 16th and 18th centuries, anticipating the modern concept of the museum and stimulating the desire of wealthy Flemish merchants to collect and display rare and precious objects alongside works of art of all kinds.
Our beautiful work, in particular, executed around the early 18th century, is a fine example of his production: we see an important artist in his studio, surrounded by three young apprentices eager to learn the secrets of the painter's craft, practising painting on canvas and drawing from sculptural models.
A version similar to ours in composition and quality can be found in Rome, in the collection of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj.
*Gerard Thomas, The Artist's Studio, Doria Pamphilj Gallery
Rome, inv./cat. no. 541
What makes these paintings special is the wealth of detail with which the painter enriches the setting, revealing a taste for depicting opulent, elegantly furnished bourgeois interiors that alluded to both the wealth and artistic sensibility of the wealthy patrons.
The setting is a capriccio of objects related to the art and culture of the time, skilfully displayed, including a Persian carpet on the desk, a beautiful celestial globe on a pedestal, an antique classical marble vase decorated with bas-reliefs, and many sculptures (one can recognise the sculptural group with two wrestlers, positioned above a bas-relief altar, reminiscent of those in the Uffizi Gallery), drawings and sketches scattered haphazardly around the room.
Finally, the room is dotted with numerous paintings, one of which is recognisable as a “Boar Hunt” by the Flemish master Frans Snyders, who specialised in this genre of painting, and was specifically included by the painter as a cultured reference.
In addition to being the artist's “signature” objects (we find the same detail in the boar hunting scene), which we find in his other works, they are symbols identifying the client, alluding to his social superiority and wealth, his professionalism, his culture, and his passion for art, in short, attributes intended to demonstrate his “social status”.
By way of comparison, let us look at some of the master's works now housed in various museums, including:
- Gerard Thomas, The Artist's Studio, Galleria Doria Pamphilj (fig.1)
- Gerard Thomas, The Painter's Studio, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (fig.2)
- Gerard Thomas, Interior of a Painter's Studio, Sotheby's Amsterdam, 9 November 1999, lot 64, (fig. 3)
- Gerard Thomas, The Artist's Studio, Sotheby's London, 12 March 1999, sold for €58,106 (fig. 4)
- Gerard Thomas, A Collector in his Workshop, Royal Collection (fig. 5)
- Gerard Thomas (1663-1720), Sculptor's Studio/The Tax Collector's Visit, Alte Pinakothek München (fig. 6/fig. 7)
- Gerard Thomas, A Sculptor's Studio, Dorotheum Vienna, 15/10/1996, lot number: 134 (fig. 8)
(fig.3) https://rkd.nl/images/54442
(fig.8) https://rkd.nl/images/10783
The painting is in good condition and comes with an antique black lacquered frame.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.
We arrange and organise the transport of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
If you would like to see this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Please feel free to contact us for any further information.
Follow us on: