Old Masters Day Auction
Old Masters Day Auction
W. Mertens
Still life with grapes in a wicker basket, together with a parrot
Lot Closed
July 7, 01:43 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
W. Mertens
fl. third quarter of the 17th century
Still life with grapes in a wicker basket, together with a parrot
remains of a signature lower left
oil on canvas
unframed: 78 x 105 cm.; 30¾ x 41¼ in.
framed: 101 x 128 cm.; 39¾ x 50⅜ in.
This painting by the elusive W. Mertens, to whom at least three signed works are given, has often been connected with Cornelis Mertens who was recorded as Abraham Matthysen's pupil in Antwerp. However, no further evidence has survived to suggest whether these two artists are the same hand. The following still life is comparable to another Mertens featuring a reduced still life with grapes sold in 1997.1
We are grateful to Dr Fred Meijer for endorsing the authorship of this painting to Mertens on the basis of photographs.
1 Anonymous sale, Christie's, London, 4 July 1997, lot 270 for £31,050.