Giacomo Nani (porto Ercole, 1698 – Naples, 1770), Still Life With Flowers, Set With Crystals...

Giacomo Nani (Porto Ercole 1698 – Naples 1770)
Still Life with Flowers, a Sideboard with Glassware and Liqueurs, an Icebox, Porcelain, and a Basket of Cookies
(LINK)

Oil on canvas (64 x 73 cm - Framed 83 x 93 cm)

Provenance (see images):
- Dorotheum (April 14, 2005) Vienna, Lot 37
Est: €20,000 EUR - €30,000 EUR
- Dorotheum (October 15, 2008), Lot 281
Est: €18,000 EUR - €25,000 EUR

The painting offered here is a work by the Neapolitan painter Giacomo Nani (Porto Ercole 1698 – Naples 1770) and delights us with a selection of his favorite elements in the creation of his exquisite still lifes; on a stone shelf, upon which an embroidered rug is laid, we see a series of objects, including two painted porcelain cups, a stand with two bottles of liqueur, and crystal goblets; there is also a clear glass vase brimming with flowers, and finally some food items: a basket of cookies, a wrapped Neapolitan eggplant, and an icebox containing an oyster.
The whole arrangement creates a refined and highly elegant ensemble.

A pupil of Gaspare Lopez (Naples–Venice, ca. 1732), one of the leading genre painters of the era, Giacomo Nani gradually developed an independent style that was highly appreciated by 18th-century nobles and collectors, including the Duchess of Terranova and the Duke of Limatola, as well as the Bourbons.
In particular, King Charles of Bourbon owned numerous paintings by him, now preserved in Naples and Caserta in the picture gallery of the Royal Estate of Carditello.

Twenty-four canvases by Giacomo Nani were sent to Spain by Charles of Bourbon as a gift to his mother, Elisabeth Farnese, and are now preserved at the Royal Palace of Riofrío, one of the residences of the Spanish royal family, and at the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, in Segovia.
As a still-life painter, his works often featured a wide variety of foods; his compositions depict the cuisine of the era, and in particular, the series preserved in Spain presents—much like a carefully curated menu—most of the dishes served on Neapolitan tables during those years.

He sometimes depicted objects characteristic of Neapolitan tradition, as in this painting: the typical rosolio wine, Capodimonte ceramics, and the icebox. The latter, in particular, have become almost a signature of the painter, appearing in many of his works.
By way of comparison, let us consider, for example, three signed works—and thus of certain attribution—namely: “Still Life with Slices of Fish, Box of Shellfish, Basket of Figs, Melon, and Vegetables” (Christie’s, Milan, November 29, 2006, no. 53, image 1), “Still Life with a Plate of Watermelon, Ice Cream, Cups, Sweets, and Flowers”/’“Still Life with Porcelain, Vase of Flowers, Basket of Doughnuts, Bread, Flask, and Glasses” (Private Collection, Bergamo, figs. 2 and 3), and “Kitchen Interior” (Naples, Capodimonte Museum, fig. 4).

Fig. 1: https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/89643/Nani%20Giacomo%2C%20Still%20Life%20with...
Image 2: https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/89644/Nani%20Giacomo%2C%20Still%20Life%20with...
Image 2: https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/89642/Nani%20Giacomo%2C%20Still%20Life%20with...
Image 4: https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/1500814521#lg=1&slide=0

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is sold complete with an attractive frame and comes with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We handle and arrange shipping for purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers.
You can also view the painting at our gallery in Riva del Garda; we would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.
Please feel free to contact us for any additional information.
Follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/