Lot 688
CORNELIS DE MAN (1621-1706) & JACOB VAN SPREEUWEN (1611-c.1650/60) SELF PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AT AN EASEL IN A STUDIO, PAINTING ST JEROME IN THE WILDERNESS The central oil on panel by Van Spreeuwen, 34.5 x 28cm, within an associated trompe l'oeil cartouche panel depicting ten cherubs around a stone recess surmounted by a mask of the devil; a casket of jewellery, a pocket watch and a brush at the base, the right plinth with signature CMan f F and indistinct date 82.5 x 65cm. * The frame cartouche is uncharacteristic of De Man's work but a similar example, formerly with Bruno Meissner (Zurich, 1981), complements this picture and may be its pair. As putti are rare inclusions in his work, these illusionistic frames were probably specific commissions. A date of c.1665-1680 has been suggested. The attribution of the associated panel to van Spreeuwen is supported by similar images of St Jerome by the artist (eg Sothebys London, March 7th 2006, lot 26). In addition, the artist liked to depict a painter seated at an easel (eg Christies London, January 27th 2010, lot 343). A date of c.1650 is suggested. The debt to fellow Leiden artist Gerard Dou is evident. We are very grateful to Dr Fred Meijer for his considerable assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.
