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18th Century Pair of Italian Still Life Trompe L'Oeil Vision Jokes after Munari

About the Item

A stunning pair of antique Italian trompe l’oeil still life paintings, a pair of 18th century oil on canvas vision jokes, false still life paintings known as deception paintings by a follower of Cristoforo Munari (Reggio Emilia 1667- Pisa 1720) of Italian origin, dating back to the first half of 1700s. These 18th century Italian Baroque trompe l'oeil paintings depict an abundance of objects are arranged on a table. The background of the disordered compositions consists of a wooden board wall with hanging sketches and other objects. Both still life compositions are painted in soft ocher tones and have the same unseen source illuminating the display from the left, creating a dark shadow on the right side of both paintings. Biscuits, a glass vase of flowers, earthenware pots, a wooden instrument divided into three parts, a score written on a tetragrammaton; mirrors, writing notes and paper sketches hang on the wooden board wall. In the other work we find a lute, books, a knife, plums and lemons, a baskets of bread and cherries. On the wall some sketches with figures and symbols of deception: glasses and keys. Glasses to look carefully and investigate reality, keys to open the doors that connect the two worlds: reality and illusion. Therefore this pair of antique Italian trompe l'oeil works are vision jokes known as deception paintings. The iconographic influence of the works of Cristoforo Munari can be found in the ceramic vase, biscuits, lemons and majolica. He was an excellent painter well known for his trompe l’oeil still life, depiction of kitchens, instruments, rugs, vases, fruit and flowers, Cristoforo Munari was a protégé of Rinaldo d’Este, Duke of Modena. In 1703 he moved to Rome and then settled in Florence some time after 1706, becoming part of the Medici court and working for, among others, Ferdinand, Cosimo III and Cardinal Francesco Maria de’Medici, for the latter of whom he decorated the Villa Lampeggi with trompe l’oeil still lifes. Good age related condition, set in modern frames, relined, restored with minor paintings retouches. Coming from a private collection of Milan. Canvas only measures 87 cm of height by 108 cm width. This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any artwork in Italy created over 70 years ago requires a governative license for export called Belle Arti. The shipping may require additional 2-3 handling weeks to require and get the license according to the final destination of the artwork. Bibliograpy: Zeri, Porzio La Natura Morta in Italia, Electa, 1989 Milano. Vol. II, pag. 415/416/417/419.
  • Creator:
    Cristoforo Munari (Artist)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 36.23 in (92 cm)Width: 44.89 in (114 cm)Depth: 1.58 in (4 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Baroque (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1720
  • Condition:
    Repaired: Good age related condition, set in modern frames, relined, restored with minor paintings retouches. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A8731stDibs: LU2160323811002
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