Processing
Oil Pictography on canvas category ‘Picta’. Painting with Maimeri and Winsor and Newton colours in 2 layers; working with magnifying glass. Linen canvas mounted on frame; concealed hook for wall mounting. Frame thickness 18 mm. Antique rose-coloured solid wood frame, gilded with gold leaf. Picture size: 80x130 cm. Framed size: 93x143x6.5 cm.
History
Severin Roesen's Still Life with Fruit and Bird's Nest is typical of the detailed and vibrant style of the painter, known for his sumptuous still lifes. Painted in the mid-19th century, the work depicts a composition of fresh, colourful fruit arranged on a table covered with a tablecloth or marble shelf. In the scene, different types of fruit, such as grapes, peaches, apples, pears, and pomegranates, intertwine with each other, forming a lush and abundant composition. Each fruit is painted with great attention to detail: the shiny skin of the apples, the transparency of the grapes and the velvety texture of the peaches stand out for their realism, giving the scene a sense of three-dimensionality. Next to the fruit is a small bird's nest, a symbol of fertility and continuity of life. Inside the nest, a few perfectly laid eggs add an element of delicacy and vulnerability, contrasting with the richness and robustness of the fruit. The warm, enveloping lighting, with plays of light and shadow, makes the work incredibly realistic and gives the composition an almost tangible appearance. The painting reflects mid-nineteenth century American aesthetics, but the precision and richness of detail recall the tradition of 17th century Flemish still lifes.
Severin Roesen, Still Life with Fruit and Birds Nest (PICTA)