Lot 144: Cornelis Jacobsz. Delff (Gouda 1570/1-1643 Delft)

Kitchenware in the glow of an oil lamp
signed 'CJDelff.' (CJD linked, upper left)
oil on panel
42.6 x 51.8 cm.

Anonymous sale; American Art Association, New York, 23 July 1923, lot 477.
with Galka and Roman Ltd., New York, 1965.
with J. Streep, New York.
private collection, Germany, after 1970.
with A. Jacobs, London, 1984.
with J. van Haeften, London.

Cornelis Jacobsz. Delff, together with his two brothers, received his training from his father, the portrait painter Jacob Willemsz. Delff (Gouda 1550-1601 Delft). According to Houbraken, he was subsequently apprenticed to Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem (Haarlem 1562-1638) who, in turn, was a pupil of the well-known kitchen still life artist Pieter Pietersz. I.

Influenced by the latter, Delff initially became known for his kitchen and market scenes, depicting still lifes accompanied by figures. Later in his career, Delff removed the figures and the setting in order to focus more on the life-like rendering of the kitchen utensils.

The present composition is a fine example of the artist's later work with its emphasis on the different textures of the various objects. A dramatic effect is added by the oil lamp which casts a light reflected by the brass pan, the earthenware cover, the stoneware jug, and the upturned copper pan with a metal handle.

Two other paintings, solely depicting kitchen utensils are known: the first, sold at Palais de Beaux Arts, Brussels, 26 October 1991, lot 118; the second sold in Lucerne, lot 2401 (according to documentation at the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie, The Hague).

Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including € 150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in exces of € 150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.