Lot 64: Pieter Casteels III (Antwerp 1684-1749 Richmond) A concert of birds

A concert of birds
signed and dated 'P Casteels fecit/1727' (lower right)
oil on canvas
50.5 x 114cm (19 7/8 x 44 7/8in).

After training with his father, Pieter Casteels II in Antwerp, the artist came to London with his brother-in-law, Peter Tillemans in 1708, permanently settling there after 1716 and becoming the leading painter of flowers and exotic birds, chiefly for overdoors and chimney-pieces. The present work dates from the year after Casteels launched a subscription for a set of twelve prints of birds which he had etched after his own designs. Their great success encouraged him to undertake the publishing venture, Twelve Months of Flowers and Twelve Months of Fruit and these prints served as patterns for workers in the textile and other luxury industries. A very similar composition, dating from 1729 was sold at Christie's New York, 4th October 2007, lot 64.