Still Life With Chinese Decoration, Louis Reckelbus

Joyful still life with flowers and Chinese porcelain, mixed media on panel from the last quarter of the 19th century. This intimate composition in oil and pastel depicts a Chinese temple lion posing in front of a lidded porcelain vase filled with a bouquet of beautiful red flowers. The origin of these lions, sometimes called "foo dogs," dates back to Chinese Buddhism. These lions were believed to protect the home from evil spirits or other ill-intentioned spiritual entities. During the Belle Époque, Belgium experienced a renewed interest in the Far East, which would have a significant impact on the development of Art Nouveau. This beautiful painting is therefore a child of its time. About the artist: Louis Reckelbus was born in Bruges on March 26, 1864, and studied at the Bruges Academy with the famous painters Edmond Van Hoven (1851-1913) and Antoon Joostens (1820-1886). The latter was best known for his realistic cityscapes of Bruges. In 1884, he became a postal employee, which did not prevent him from building a solid reputation as an artist. Reckelbus mainly painted interiors and cityscapes, but he also produced a number of realistic still lifes, often decorated with Delftware and Chinese porcelain. After retiring in 1930, he was appointed curator of the museums in Bruges. He remained so until 1954, when, at the age of 90, he passed the torch to the city's first professional curator, Aquilin Janssens de Bisthoven (1915-1999). Reckelbus's work is exhibited in several Belgian and international museums, including the Groeninge Museum in Bruges and the KMSK in Brussels. Condition report: This painting and the accompanying frame are in good condition and show no visible signs of wear. Dimensions of the work: Unframed: 53.00 cm x 43.00 cm With frame: 56.50 cm x 46.50 cm