Antique 18th Century Old Master European Oil Painting Still Life

An antique 18th-century European oil painting, "Still Life," is an exquisite work of art crafted on heavy, hand-woven canvas. The canvas depicts a beautiful arrangement of flowers in a stone vase and a variety of fruits laid on a table with a marble top.

The painting showcases the flowers and fruits with great precision, and the intricate detailing is a testament to the artist's skill. The flowers and fruits are vividly depicted against a dark backdrop, which helps to accentuate their natural beauty. 

The painting is illuminated by a bright but soft light that creates a warm and inviting ambiance. This light brings out the subtle shades and highlights of the flowers and fruits, making them appear more lifelike and vibrant. The texture of the fruits and flowers is meticulously articulated, adding a convincing impression of depth and substance to the painting.

In summary, "Still Life" is a masterpiece that is visually stunning and an excellent example of the artist's skill in capturing the beauty of nature on canvas.

The tacking margins of the 18th-century canvas had become damaged and weak, and the rusty nails had left large holes and abrasions that couldn't hold tension. As a result, the canvas was trimmed extensively, and a professional backing was added to the masonite fiberboard in the late 20th century. Therefore, it's possible that the signature on the bottom edge of the canvas near the tacking margins was cut out along with the damaged canvas.

CONDITION: The painting is in good condition overall, showing natural craquelure - a common sign of age in old oil paintings. It has no holes, and the original canvas has been preserved. The painting is encased in a slightly chipped 20th-century wood frame.

MEASUREMENTS (approximately):
Dimensions including frame: 83.5 x 68.5 cm (32.87 x 26.97 inches).
Panel dimensions: 75.5 x 60 cm (27.72 x 23.62 inches).