Still life with carpet, basket of grapes and fig tree

Oil on canvas

63 x 75 cm

Framed 80 x 95 cm

Good condition, old restoration, 19th-century frame

The painting depicts a composition of fruit including a rich selection of white and black grapes in a perforated wicker basket and a stand overflowing with succulent purple figs, all arranged on a precious finely embroidered brocade tapestry.

At first glance, it is easy to attribute the painting to Antonio Gianlisi (Rizzolo di San Giorgio, 1677 – Cremona, 1727), whose works perfectly embody the tradition of Baroque still life painting in Northern Italy, and in particular the Bergamo school.

The vocabulary deployed by the Cremonese artist in his paintings and his highly personal representation of objects make Gianlisi's works, such as the one presented here, truly unmistakable.

We see the artist's usual characteristics, such as the intimacy of the interiors enclosed by sumptuous curtains trimmed with golden fringes, which in the work in question appear grouped on the left of the canvas, as shown by the cord decorated with a hanging tassel on the right. The same fringe (Gianlisi's signature) borders the carpet covering the table in the centre of the scene, whose precious silk fabric with floral embroidery illuminates the composition with its glints.

The reference to the artist's work is evidenced not only by the usual iconographic repertoire, but also by the composition and arrangement of the carpet, modelled with seemingly disordered folds, so as to alternate light and shadow, giving depth to the composition.

After an apprenticeship with his father, Antonio Gianlisi continued his studies with more renowned artists: first in Piacenza with Felice Boselli, then in Bergamo in the circle of Evaristo Baschenis and Bonaventura Bettera. It should also be noted that he spent a longer period in Venice and travelled to Switzerland, living the last eighteen years of his life in Cremona.

The attribution is fully supported by comparing the canvas on offer with other works by the master, such as the two paintings, also en pendant, kept at the Ponzone Civic Museum in Cremona (https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/0300078019), and the pair of works 'Still Life with Carpet, Basket of Grapes and Fig Tree' and “Still Life with Carpet, Basket of Grapes and Cake Stand” from a private collection in Geneva (https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/88298/) [1].

[1] Antonio Gianlisi II, known as Il Cremonese

Still Life with Carpet, Basket of Grapes and Fig Tree/Still Life with Carpet, Basket of Grapes and Pastries

Private collection, Geneva

We can also draw on the antiques market for some works to facilitate comparison, such as “Still Life with Grapes in a Basket with Sweets on a Tray on a Drape Table” (Bonhams, London, 9.6.2003, https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antonio-gianlisi-the-younger-rizzolo-di-san-giorg-47-c-k07jdf...), “Still Life with Silver Plate of Strawberries” (Sotheby's

Prigi, 12.09.2018, https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antonio-gianlisi-a-silver-platter-of-wild-strawbe-23-c-5cc448....

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting is sold complete with a pleasant golden frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of 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!

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