Galerie Dreyfus
77
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SÉBASTIEN STOSKOPFF (STRASBOURG, 1597 – IDSTEIN, 1657)
Platt…
See original version (French)
77
-
SÉBASTIEN STOSKOPFF (STRASBOURG, 1597 – IDSTEIN, 1657)
Platt…
See original version (French)
Estimate €140,000 - €175,000
Voluntary lot
Description
SÉBASTIEN STOSKOPFF
(STRASBOURG, 1597 – IDSTEIN, 1657)
Platter of tarts and a rammer glass with a vermeil goblet
Oil on canvas
50 x 61.5 cm
This painting, delicately bathed in subdued half-light, illustrates with great
finesse the art of 17th-century Flemish still life. Arranged with an almost
ceremonial precision, an assortment of refined delicacies occupies the centre of the composition: an
elegant pyramid of small golden pâtés, a loaf of bread with a rustic crust, and a
finely carved slice on a pewter plate, accompanied by a knife with a
tapered blade. Around these delicacies, the eye is drawn to the subdued lustre of the ceremonial objects:
a glass carafe with a slender neck, a richly engraved goblet and a chalice adorned with bunches of grapes,
a discreet emblem of abundance and nobility. A half-filled glass of wine, with
golden glints, adds a touch of warmth to this silent scene, whilst a pack of cards
casually laid aside recalls the human presence through the pleasures of the table and
leisure. The painter masters the art of chiaroscuro with remarkable precision, sculpting the
light to bring textures to life — from crystal-clear glass to weathered metal, and from
puff pastry to crusty bread. Each element contributes to a visual and
symbolic harmony, celebrating the understated opulence and attention to detail characteristic of the Baroque spirit. This
painting embodies a moment suspended in time, where the transience of the meal becomes an offering to
timeless beauty.
Sébastien Stoskopff was a still-life painter and, for a time, the tutor of Joachim
von Sandrart (1606–1688), who wrote a short biography of him in the late 17th century. Born
into a family originally from Strasbourg and of Protestant faith, Stoskopff was initially a pupil of the
engraver and draughtsman Friedrich Brentel (1580–1651), whose influence is clearly evident in some of the artist’s compositions, where engraving blends with painting. He then trained in the studio of Daniel Soreau, a painter of history, portraits and still lifes, and an architect (active 1586–1619). During his career, Stoskopff also undertook numerous journeys: to Hanau, Paris, Venice, Troyes, Strasbourg and Idstein, which enabled him to rub shoulders with
a wide variety of artistic circles before developing a more personal style. He drew inspiration
from the work of artists such as Lucas van Valckenborch and Georg Flegel, borrowing
motifs and arrangements of fruit and vegetables, which he isolated, thereby giving them a pictorial value
of their own. Today, there are around sixty still lifes by Stoskopff,
twenty-six of which are signed and around ten of which are dated.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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