A Baroque still life done in the style of Italian artist Giuseppe Recco (b. 1634 d. 1695). He was most well known for his glimmering depictions of various seafood. Victuals portrayed in this fest are: Red Mullet, Langostino, Porcini mushrooms, garlic cloves, and grape leaves. The artist painted in elaborate layers, from a rich and dark slightly transparent under painting to thick and brilliant impasto white fish scales. 

Unsigned and not dated

Medium: oil on linen

Support size: 19 1/2” x 24 3/4” Dimensions of outside frame: 22” x 27 1/4”

Period of creation: C. 1660-1680

Condition: The original linen has been lined with wax sometime in the last hundred years. Several minor losses have been filled and unpainted. The strainer is original, and the linen is sound and taut. The discolored varnish layer has been removed, paint layer is clean, and a fresh dammar varnish applied. The 17th century frame is original. It was initially a black polished frame with gilded lip, but sometime through the centuries the black was gessoed over and gilded. This is part of it’s history and we have not changed it. The frame is sturdy and joined well, although it has some gesso losses. There are some remnants of interestingly patterned yellow and white paper on the inside of the frame.