French School

Zoom image

Download image:

109795v_0001.jpg

French School

16th century

Study of a Queen Conch Shell

Brush and orange-red and gray oil paint on paper.

4 7/16 x 7 1/8 inches (112 x 182 mm)

Gift of Felice Stampfle.

1984.65

Zoom image

Download verso image:

109795v_0002.jpg

Notes:

This study in oil depicts a Strombus gigas, or Queen Conch, a shell found in south Florida and the Carribean. The inclusion of shells in collector's cabinets attests to European interest in natural history subjects associated with the New World. It may have been made by a French or Flemish artist in preparation for inclusion in a still life painting.

Inscription:

Inscribed on lining in graphite, "No 121"; bookplate.
Watermark: Grapes (cf. Briquet 13168: Béziers, 1596). Cluster of grapes with thick, short stem. Partly obscured by lead white in drawing.

Provenance:

Italian collection (?); acquired by Sir Erasmus Philipps, 5th Baronet (1699-1743), ca. 1730 (see under Lugt 2687); Richard Phillips, the first Lord Milford (1744-1823; Lugt S. 2687; his bookplate pasted on lining); Hans Maximilian Calmann (1899-1982), London; his gift to Felice Stampfle (1912-2001), New York.

Watermark:

Download watermark:

109795wm_1984_65_French_WM_beta.jpg

Associated names:

Anonymous, Italian School, 16th cent., Alternate attribution.
Philipps, Erasmus, 18th cent., former owner.
Philipps, Richard, Sir, 1744-1823, former owner.
Calmann, Hans M., 1899-1982, former owner.
Stampfle, Felice, former owner.

Bibliography:

Ryskamp, Charles, ed. Twenty-First Report to the Fellows of the Pierpont Morgan Library, 1984-1986. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1989, p. 341.

Catalog link:

See more information »

Artist page:

School:

Century:

Classification:

Department: