Opulent Baroque Style Still Life with Fruits, Flowers and Insects

Beautiful large format still life exuding the richness and meticulous attention to detail characteristic of Baroque art – a perfect centerpiece for dining room or kitchen.  We believe this work is an early 20th Century painting by an artist studying the techniques of the old masters. The composition painted on a thick wooden board, is dense and luxuriously arranged with a dark background that contrasts sharply with the vivid colors of the fruits and flowers.

On the left side of the painting, is a large detailed melon with intricate patterns on its rind.  In the center, a woven basket overflowing with heirloom apples and peaches, their skins rendered with subtle color gradients. A dark, sheer cloth drapes partially over the basket and onto the table, adding a soft textural element.

In the center foreground, an ornate platter with an oriental pattern bears selection of fruits including peaches, grapes, and apples. A couple of pear leaves and a small butterfly add a delicate touch to the scene. Next to the platter is a green cabbage leaf, upon which rests a cut honeycomb dripping with honey, providing inviting the viewer to the sweetness of the feast.

To the right, a classical vase holds an arrangement of meticulously painted flowers, including roses, tulips, and daisies. Beneath the vase is a plate filled with cherries, their glossy reds providing a visual anchor in the composition.

The hndling of light and shadow, textures and surfaces—from the translucence of the grapes to the velvety skin of the peaches and the shiny, is masterful. The flowers and ripe fruits evoke the transience of life and the fleeting nature of beauty, themes often explored in Baroque still life paintings.

Mockup of the painting in the kitchen.
Dimensions in Frame: Approx 50 cm x 30 cm (4′ 2″ x 2′ 6″)

Reverse shown below.  We estimate the age of this work to be late 19th to early 20th century based primarily on the wood and frame visible on the back.