A genre painting depicting a Dutch scene of five figures, four in the foreground around a table, and one lingering in the background, a light application of oil on panel demonstrating beautiful light play and soft edges, highly detailed figures and cloth, signed and dated “Ferdinand De Braekeeler 1836” near bottom right hand corner, measures 370mm (w) x 300mm (h) (14 ½ in x 11¾ in), the reverse of the panel is aged wood, with an acquisition number in black in the upper left hand corner, held into the frame by multiple small bent nails. A beautiful genre painting by a renowned artist, in extremely fine condition.
A modern frame with an interior black lacquered frame featuring a thin engraved metal plate “Ferd. De Braekeleer 1792-1883”, surrounded by a thick frame of wood, black lacquer and brushed gilt, evidence of a red tint below the lacquer, measuring 560mm (w) x 495mm (h) x 110mm (d) (22 in x 19½ in x 14¼ in), small edge knocks and wear to corners, reverse of frame bears a small triangular hook at 12 o’clock, in very fine condition.
Footnote: Ferdinand de Braekeleer the Elder was a Flemish painter and printmaker, known for genre scenes including church interiors, historic events, religious scenes and market still lifes. Born in 1792 to a poor family, de Braekeleer was admitted to the school for orphans and children of poor parents following the death of his parents. At this school, established by prominent Antwerp artist Mattheus Ignatius van Bree, he received artist training, eventually winning prizes in 1809 and 1811. In 1827, he married Marie-Therese Leys, and together they would have eleven children.
Two of which, Ferdinand the Younger and Henri de Braekeleer would become painters as well. De Braekeleer was a member of the Royal Academy of Belgium since 1847, began teaching at the Antwerp academy in 1855 and was the curator of the Antwerp Royal Museum beginning in 1864. He was appreciated as a colourist and draughtsman and is particularly remembered for his genre paintings of the 17th century, and paintings depicting the lives of famous Dutch and Flemish artists Jan Steen and David Teniers the Younger. De Braekeleer died in 1883.
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