JAN FRANS VAN DAEL (Antwerp 1764- Paris 1840)
Apples, Grapes, Apricots, and Berries in a Basket with a Pineapple, Grapes and other Fruit on a Marble Ledge
signed and dated J. Vandael an.x on the ledge in the lower left
oil on canvas
24 x 19 3/4 inches (61 x 50.1 cm.)
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND A NEW LUXURY
In our world of fast fashion and mass production, something unique is considered more valuable than ever. Handmade products carry a sense of authenticity and individuality that mass-produced items often lack. This demand for luxury (or semi-unique) pieces follows along this thinking, but in the past, was uniqueness of a single item as important? Maybe duplication added value rather than reduced it.
Artists have always had a habit of creating multiple versions of the same composition. Depending on the period and the type of paintings, the motivations could be different. Reproducing successful works was a common practice among artists during the 17th century. Painters like Jan Brueghel the Elder, and Rachel Ruysch -celebrated for their still-life paintings—often revisited popular compositions. Still-life paintings often carried moral and symbolic messages (e.g., vanitas themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of life) and were valued for their storytelling and intellectual engagement. It wasn’t unusual for an artist to create personalized versions of a composition for different patrons to emphasize different moral messages. However, in the 18th century motivations could be different.
By the late 18th century, art became more focused on aesthetic beauty, refinement, and elegance. It moved away from the constant drum beat of moral lessons. The aristocracy and bourgeoisie became major patrons, seeking works to reflect their taste and scientific curiosity, next to their wealth. Paintings were seen as decorative luxuries rather than moral lessons, with focus on elegance and charm. And thus, with the luxury market for paintings growing, the demand for multiple versions of the same composition (signature pictures) grew.
Jan Frans van Dael was born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1764. He developed a passion for art at an early age, growing up in a city renowned for its artistic heritage. Initially trained in architectural drawing, van Dael was an apprentice draughtsman. Around 1786, he moved to Paris, where he transitioned from architectural studies to painting, pursuing his passion for still-life art, earned him widespread acclaim and placed him among the most celebrated artists of his time.
Van Dael’s career flourished during the turbulent years of the French Revolution (1789–1799) and the subsequent Napoleonic era. Despite the political upheaval, Paris remained a cultural and artistic hub, and van Dael managed to build a successful career amidst these dramatic events. While many artists of the time were compelled to adapt their subject matter to revolutionary themes, van Dael remained steadfast in his dedication to still-life painting, particularly depictions of flowers and fruits. His works served as a peaceful escape from the chaos of the period, celebrating the beauty of nature and life’s simple pleasures. Attracting the attention of both French and European royalty, he was commissioned to create works for prominent collectors, including Empress Joséphine Bonaparte. Van Dael’s paintings became luxury items to be cherished among the rich.
Van Dael’s still-life with a pineapple must have been considered the height of luxury. By the 1770s, "a pineapple of the finest flavour" became a phrase used for anything that was the best of the best. The prominence and refined detail that the pineapple carries in our composition is there to emphasize this luxury item. For whom he painted this extremely luxurious painting, we don’t know, however what we do know is that there are two of them. Our version (shown here) and the other version, which is in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg appear to have been painted simultaneously. Was this a case of two demanding patrons on separate continents or two patrons who wanted to have ‘matching’ luxury items? Both seem feasible given the state of our current luxury market! Most likely, it was a combination of market-driven pragmatism, artistic refinement, and the economic realities of being a working artist in his era.
Jan Frans van Dael’s ability to focus on universally appealing and politically neutral subjects allowed him to thrive during the French Revolution. His meticulous artistry captured the spirit of beauty and harmony in a time of chaos, making his paintings highly valued by both contemporaries and later collectors. His work represents the height of a new luxury market used to escape a tumultuous time in history. What will be our new luxury?
8 January 2025
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