Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish school; XVII century.
"Still life of grapes".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
It has Repainting on the pictorial surface.
It has damage caused by xylophagous.
Measurements: 48 x 60 cm; 54 x 66,5 cm (frame).
In this still life the author uses a synthetic stroke that confers material consistency to the elements that make up the image, extracting the qualities of all the grapes and vine leaves that make up the scene. A great diversity can be appreciated despite the austerity of the work, as the artist plays with different shades and stages of ripeness of the fruit. This is arranged over the entire surface of the canvas, which is dominated by a neutral background.
The still life in Spain was one of the most characteristic genres and, due to its special peculiarities, it is clearly different from this same theme in workshops in the rest of Europe. The term appeared at the end of the 16th century, and stands out in this school for its austerity, in clear contrast with the Flemish sumptuousness, although with a series of influences from the latter and the Italian school. Sánchez Cotán's works were so successful that his style had numerous followers (Juan de Espinosa, Antonio Ponce, Juan van der Hamen y León, etc.). In this context, the Sevillian school contributed its own particularities, thanks, above all, to Velázquez and Zurbarán. Highly appreciated within the antiquarian market, as well as among collectors and art historians, the Spanish Baroque still life school enjoyed a spectacular development, leaving behind the splendors of the 16th century and progressing within a fully Baroque and clearly identifiable style. In Spain the development of the genre was clearly marked by Italian influence, specifically by the contribution of the Neapolitan school. Currently this school is considered one of the most outstanding within the still life, due to its long historical tradition.