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Pieter Van Avont

Price Tax incl.:
12800 EUR

Rest during the Flight into Egypt - The Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist and cherubs in a landscape. Attributed to Pieter Van Avont (1600-1652) 17th century Antwerp school, circa 1630 Oil on oak panel, Dimensions: h. 38 cm, l. 50 cm Flemish-style frame in blackened and molded wood with red tortoiseshell veneer. Framed: h. 56 cm, l. 68.5 cm At the heart of a lush wooded landscape, the Virgin Mary with Jesus rests in a green clearing, accompanied by Saint John the Baptist and cherubs. Seated on the left of the composition, the Virgin Mary holds the Child on her lap; the little Saint John the Baptist wearing a camel-skin tunic (his attribute) stands before Jesus to exchange a few caresses. On the right, a pair of cherubs play with St. John the Baptist's lamb, adding a jovial touch to the scene. A pair of gardening putti on the left pick flowers to bring bouquets to the Virgin and Jesus. Spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils and anemones grow in abundance around them, enriching the composition with their shimmering colors. A lush rosebush blooms to the left of the figures, offering delicate roses (the rose is the flower associated with the Virgin Mary, who is the "mystical rose", the one without the "thorn of sin"). At the Virgin's feet are bunches of grapes (symbolizing the future passion of Christ) and apples (symbolizing the original fall of man, but also the Redemption in Christ). In the foreground we find a wicker basket filled to overflowing with magnificent flowers and guinea pigs nibbling on the blades of grass. In a skilfully arranged disorder, these highly symbolic still-life elements accentuate the religious theme, but are also an opportunity for the artist to demonstrate his expertise in the still-life genre, which was gaining ground in Antwerp. The landscape behind the figures consists of a large tree with a twisted trunk and a bright opening to the horizon on the right. We see Saint Joseph arriving with a donkey, a small reminder from the artist that the composition is associated with the episode of Rest during the Flight to Egypt. The calm expanse of this bucolic forest opening onto the luminous distance, with its profusion of symbolic flowers and fruit, is particularly well-suited to this sacred scene. The theme of Jesus' sacrifice and tragic destiny is softened by cherubs playing innocently and carefree in the face of the fragility of life symbolized by cut flowers. The painter's great mastery is evident in the finesse of the drawing, enhanced by the delicacy of the brushstrokes, bringing out a multitude of details. The richness of the whole is exacerbated by the choice of colors, and this varied palette is an undeniable asset of our work. The virtuosity of our artist lies in his versatility, as much concerned with the success of the landscape and flowers as with the modeling of his figures. The cherubs with their bare bodies are gracefully illuminated by warm colors and subtle shading, while the still life is rendered with astounding realism, whether in the precision of the drawing or the countless nuances of the flowers. There are several compositions similar to ours, of which the following are the closest versions: - Sale, Jean-Claude Anaf et Associé, Lyon, 08/02/1998, attributed to Pieter Van Avont, oil on panel, h. 48 cm, l. 71 cm (registered on RKD no. 31451). Comment: identical composition, only St. Joseph with donkey is different) - Christie's New-York sale, 01/29/1998, Pieter Van Avont, oil on copper, h. 23.8 cm, l. 24.8 cm - Dorotheum sale, Vienna, 04/25/2017, Pieter Van Avont and Jan Breughel II, oil on copper, h .26 cm, l. 39 cm - Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Pieter Van Avont, oil on panel, h. 50.5 cm, l. 71.7 cm Peter van Avont, Flemish painter Mechelen, 1600 - Antwerp. 1652 Born in Mechelen, he is mentioned in 1620 as a member of the painters' guild of his native town. He left in 1622 for Antwerp, where he was also enrolled in the guild. He collaborated with many painters, including Jan Brueguel le Jeune, David Vinckboons, Lucas van Uden, Jacques d'Arthois, Lucas Achtschellinck, Lodewijk de Vadder, Izaak van Oosten and Jan Wildens. The painter is known for his paintings of mythological and religious scenes. One of the main features of his work is the group of naked children. In his many versions of the Holy Family, they appear in various roles: baby Jesus, Saint John the Baptist and the angels. They often bring offerings to the Virgin and Jesus.

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