Lot 27: Sebastien Stoskopff (Strasbourg 1597-1657 Idstein)

A giant roemer of wine, a gold beaker, a lemon, two rolls, books and a pie on a pewter plate on a stone ledge
oil on canvas
19 3/8 x 23 1/2 in. (49.2 x 59.7 cm.)

Having first served his apprenticeship with the miniaturist and engraver Friedrich Brentel, Sebastian Stoskopff became the pupil of the painter Daniel Soreau. After his master's death, he remained in Hanau, working with Soreau's sons, Isaak and Peter, as well as Peter Binoit and Franz Godin. In 1621, he went to Paris and remained there, apart from a trip to Venice, until he returned to his native Strasbourg in 1641.

Stoskopff's paintings fall into two categories: those done in Paris, which are influenced by his French contemporaries, such as Jacques Linard, and the later works, in which the German aspect of his artistic background reasserts itself. This picture is a new addition to the second group. A large Vanitas still life, signed and dated 1641 (in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Strasbourg; see B. Hahn-Woerle, Sebastian Stoskopff, Stuttgart, 1996, p. 218, no. 49) includes a pineapple shaped cup that is closely related to one in the present painting. The up-turned gold-rimmed beaker also features in other paintings, such as a Still life with a basket of glasses on a table (Canada, private collection) and a Still life with empty glasses (Pasadena, Norton Simon Museum; ibid., nos. 58 and 44, respectively).

Both Fred Meijer from the RKD and Michèle-Caroline Heck confirm the attribution of this painting to Sebastien Stoskopff and date it to the 1640s (private communication, 2006).

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.