Lot 39

Jan Kašpar Hirschely (1695 - 1743) FLORAL STILL LIFE ON A TABLE

When Hirschely painted floral still lifes, he primarily emphasized the aesthetic tone of the work. He created opulent, Mannerist arrangements with vibrant color tones emerging to the foreground, attempting to comply with period demands for archaic forms. He later expanded his focus to other motifs, including fruit and birds. The botanic composition of the bouquets often extended beyond a single season. Surrounding the central motif of a solo rose with delicate, almost transparent blossom leaves, the artist has gathered a carefully selected variation of honeysuckle, white lilac, bindweed and carnation, which sink almost into the background of the painting and tiny forget-me-nots. A white butterfly seems to be incidentally perched on a rose on the left, and a small bunch of freshly picked red currents lies next to the facetted gilt vase. Assessment: PhDr. Hana Seifertová.