Galerie Dreyfus
85
-
MARTIN VAN CLEVE, THE FORMER WORKSHOP
(ANTWERP 1527 – ANTWER…
See original version (French)
85
-
MARTIN VAN CLEVE, THE FORMER WORKSHOP
(ANTWERP 1527 – ANTWER…
See original version (French)
Estimate €28,000 - €35,000
Voluntary lot
Description
MARTIN VAN CLEVE, THE FORMER WORKSHOP
(ANTWERP 1527 – ANTWERP 1581)
Interior Scene
c. 1575
Oil on panel
48 x 83 cm.
Set in the cosy atmosphere of a peasant home, bathed in soft, golden light,
this Flemish scene highlights the richness of everyday life through a composition
brimming with vitality. At the centre of the room, the hearth glows: women, children and the elderly are
busy there, each caught in a gesture, a word, a moment of attention. Whilst some are feasting
on the left-hand side of the scene, toasting and sharing a meal, others are tending to the child entrusted to
the wet nurse, at the heart of a web of glances and gestures that unite the generations.
Through its meticulous detail, the scene becomes a domestic theatre where nothing is trivial; objects
are rendered with the same care as the faces, and every detail contributes to the narrative. The
touches of warm colours, deep ochres and velvety browns envelop the scene
in a palpable human warmth, enhanced by skilfully measured interior light.
In the tradition of the Flemish painters of the late 16th century, and more specifically
in the lineage of Martin van Cleve, this work is not merely a
depiction of rural life; it reveals its hidden poetry. It moves the viewer with its sincerity, its
discreet humour, and its keen observation of human relationships. Its beauty lies in this
rare ability to elevate the ordinary, to transform the intimate into a noble subject, worthy of wonder.
Martin van Cleve the Elder (1527–1581) was a Flemish genre painter who specialised in the
depiction of rural scenes and landscapes. The son of Willem van Cleve the Elder, a master of the
Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp, Marten van Cleve spent his early years in the
artistic milieu of his hometown, Antwerp. His elder brother Hendrick and his younger brother Willem were
also talented painters. Initially trained by his father, van Cleve went on to study
under Frans Floris (1517–1570), a renowned Flemish history painter. His work draws inspiration from the style and
subjects of Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525–1569), of whom he produced numerous copies, such as
this Fairground Scene, to meet the growing demand from collectors. It is
in fact thanks to his excellent copies that we are familiar with certain lost originals by Pieter
Bruegel the Elder. Between 1560 and 1570, Marten van Cleve ran a workshop with a considerable
output. The vast majority of the works produced in his workshop were replicas
of Martens’ originals, which was common practice at the time. One of the most remarkable
aspects of his work was his collaboration with eminent landscape painters of his era. His ability
to capture the simple beauty and charm of country life is one reason why his
works are still appreciated and sought after today. However, with a few exceptions,
his works are rarely signed.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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