Cornelis de Heem - 17th century dutch still life with oranges and pepper

Opulent 17th century dutch still life by the celebrated artist Cornelis de Heem. It shows an abundant composition (also called festoon) with grapes, blackberries, peaches, chestnuts, cherries, medlars, morning glory, oranges and red chilli peppers. It is very rare to find a still-life of that period which shows red peppers (chili peppers), is a symbol of wealth and fertility. It is signed De Heem in the stone niche and the canvas measures 69 x 56 cm. The attribution of this work has been confirmed by Fred Meijer and it is recorded in the Rijksbureau voor Kunsthistorische Documentatie database (R.K.D.) under the number 
 
Cornelis de Heem (1631-1695)was the eldest son of Jan Davidsz. de Heem (Utrecht 1603 – 1683/84 Antwerp), one of the most celebrated 17th century still life painters of the lower countries (the Netherlands and Flanders). Cornelis was trained in his father’s studio and in 1660 or 1661 received the honour of becoming a master in the Painter’s Guild of Saint Luke. The De Heem family of painters had a profound impact on still-life paintings in their time and the centuries that followed. Many artists were inspired and influenced by their magnificent works, among which Rachel Ruysch.
 
Provenance:
Sale: Sotheby's, Amsterdam, 11th April 2003, lot 25 where it sold for 85400 euro.
Private collection, Madrid (by 2005)