Vanitas Trompe-l’oeil Letter-rack, with Death Notices
Dutch School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1660
Materials
Oil on oak panel
Measurements
375 x 584 mm (14 3/4 x 23 in)
Place of origin
Holland
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire
NT 453823
Caption
This illusionistic painting is meant to deceive us into thinking we are looking at a real letter rack, stuffed with real documents and books. It is a ‘trompe l’oeil’ painting, designed to ‘fool the eye’. Among the documents are death notices for a ‘Hennery Hagger’. These turn the painting into a ‘vanitas’, a reminder of the fragility of life and inevitability of death. Although this picture would have been at home among the historic collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings at Dyrham Park, it was not purchased by William I Blathwayt or his successors. It was, instead, bequeathed to the National Trust by the art historian and antiquarian Dame Joan Evans (1893–1977), and displayed at Dyrham Park because of the suitability of its style and subject matter.
Summary
Oil painting on oak panel, Vanitas Trompe-l’oeil Letter-rack with Death Notices, Dutch School, by an artist working in the manner of Edwaert Collier (Breda c.1640 - Leyden c.1707), circa 1660. A number of papers and books are shown secured behind a tape apparently pinned across the surface of the picture, producing the trompe-l'eoil effect of a letter-rack. To the left is a piece of paper announcing the burial of a Hennery Hagger, and behind this is another notice and a grey-blue-covered book. In the centre is another book with a grey-blue cover, which, like that of its companion, is folded back to reveal part of the text on the frontispiece. A quill is tucked behind this book. To the right is a yellow-brown-covered book or journal, which is closed, in front of which are tucked two further notices, one of which is apparently hooked over the tape.
Provenance
Probably from the collection of the archaeologist and numismatist, Sir John Evans (1823–1908), FRS, FSA, Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead, and (from 1906) Britwell, Berkhamsted Common; by descent to his second daughter, and only child of his third marriage, the art historian Dame Joan Evans (1893–1977), by whom bequeathed to the National Trust in 1977.
Credit line
Dyrham Park (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
On a trompe-l'oeil piece of white paper, on the centre left: Tegens Vrydagh den 10 Zeptember. 1660 / Wordt UE. ter begraeffenis gebeeden. met / HENNERY HAGGER. / Wolkammer, uÿt Engelant hier vreemt Beseert inde / Leÿtse Kaegh daer hÿ aen gestorven is, ten een veir / precijs in huys te komen. / t’Lyck sal begraven worde. On a trompe-l'oeil piece of paper, tucked behind the Hennery Hagger notice: Omine te[...] / aen Sr S[...] / slobbe [...] / won [...] / un [...] / Port On a trompe-l'oeil piece of paper behind and above the Hennery Hagger notice: DEN / [...]en Oeclipsus / [...] ekoomen vÿt een / [...]en-BURGH. On the frontispiece of a crumpled book, squeezed behind the tape in the centre: [...]CES: On a trompe-l'oeil piece of paper tucked over the tape, lower mid-right: Aen Su weet met alias / Botmuijl woonende ten / juijse van Modde van / gompe / tot / Boxnl [?] / Port On a trompe-l'oeil piece of paper to the right, tucked behind the one tucked over the tape: Eerntfeste seer Deor / sleepe Sr Belsebuÿck / [wo]nende inde hokuis / [obscured by the paper in front]steegh / ad Infernum / Cilii [?] On the reverse, in pencil: E 547 [and] E 747 On the reverse, in brown ink, on a torn piece of paper on the bottom member of the frame: John Evans Torn label on the reverse of the frame: [The Rowley Galler]y / 140-2 CHURCH St. / KENSINGTON W.8
Makers and roles
Dutch School, artist previously catalogued as manner of Edwaert Collier (fl.1662 - 1708), artist