Maximilian Pfeiler
Still life of figs, grapes, a melon, strawberries and biscuits, accompanied by glassware, a lute and an oriental carpet
Lot Closed
April 10, 11:33 AM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Maximilian Pfeiler
active in Rome c. 1694–c. 1721 Budapest
Still life of figs, grapes, a melon, strawberries and biscuits, accompanied by glassware, a lute and an oriental carpet
oil on canvas
unframed: 74 x 98 cm.; 29⅛ x 38⅝ in.
framed: 87.2 x 111.4 cm.; 34⅜ x 43⅞ in.
Private collection, west Wales;
Acquired by the present owner in 2023.
This colourful still life contains many elements typical of Pfeiler's work: the metal plate, on which an open melon is displayed, the variegated grapes, the assortment of glasses filled with liqueurs, accompanied by finger-shaped biscuits, the fringed carpet, and the stone ledge at a diagonal.
Thought to have hailed from Prague, Pfeiler, a rather rare artist, is recorded as having been a pupil and associate of Christian Berentz (1658–1722). Among other period sources, Vite de’Pittor, Scultori e Architetti moderni, by the biographer Pascoli, notes a certain 'Massimiliano' in Berentz’s studio in Rome. Pfeiler appears to have died at a young age and as a result his output was relatively small.
A copy after this painting reproduced on a card at the RKD, mistakenly attributed to Giovanni Battista Ruoppolo, attests to the popularity of the composition.
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