Lot 279: NICOLAES DE VREE

NICOLAES DE VREE AMSTERDAM 1645 - 1702 ALKMAAR A FOREST FLOOR STILL LIFE WITH FLOWERING PLANTS AND BUTTERFLIES original signature in red: Nicolas de Vree , covered by another signature: De Vr oil on canvas 44 1/8 by 34 7/8 in.; 112 by 88.5 cm.

Anonymous sale, Paris, Ader Picard Tajan, 29 June 1989, lot 60;
There purchased by the present collector.

The present canvas relates to another work by de Vree in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (inv. 1028). The still life depicted in the left of the Hermitage picture, Statue in Park is remarkably similar to the present composition; the dark green monochromatic palette is interspersed with pops of color in the flower buds and with the butterflies. In its highly detailed foliage, this work also recalls the style of Abraham Jansz. Begeyn, with whom De Vree is often compared.