Antique French Still Life Painting

Antique French Still Life of Grapes

France | 19th Century

A bunch of grapes set down on a dark ground, a single vine leaf turned out beside them, a curl of tendril rising behind. That is the entire picture, and it is enough. The fruit runs from cold green through amber to a bloomed red-purple, each grape given its own point of light, and the leaf is the one clean colour in the painting: a bright green that all that surrounding brown turns into something like a window.

The reverse shows an old keyed stretcher with a central brace, the wood darkened to the colour of strong tea, and the canvas appears unlined.

The frame is period and beautiful. 

Details

• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Signature: Unsigned
• Subject: Still life of grapes with vine leaf
• Origin: France
• Date: 19th century
• Frame: Period giltwood, worn through to the red bole
• Condition: Good antique condition, with age craquelure to the paint surface and honest wear to the frame