Lot 345
(Manner Of) Herrera, Francisco -- Late 17th Century Masterwork "The Pipesmoker". Francisco Herrera (1576 - 1656) was a distinguished Spanish painter, born in Seville and the founder of the Seville school of painting. He was known as "El Viejo", the elder, to distinguish him from his equally accomplished son Francisco Herrera, "The Younger". His pupils included a young Diego Velázquez (considered the greatest during this contemporary Baroque period) and Ignacio de Iriarte all significant and important painters of the Spanish Golden Age in the court of King Philip IV. Offered is a masterpiece of this Golden Age of Spanish painting entitled The Pipe Smoker. The work is unsigned and was sold as "in the manner of" Francisco Herrera meaning that the work was done in the manner of the named artist, during their lifetime or later. An absolutely breathtaking portrait of an old merchant smoking his pipe, every nuance in his face, the texture of his clothes, the wine bottle and his beard in fantastic detail, the single lantern illuminating just a portion of his face. Stunning.
Painting was sold by Paul Metcalf Gallery and was one of the few establishments in California to concentrate on 16th through 20th century art. (gallery label still on back) His gallery contained one of the largest collections of European and American classical paintings in Southern California with more than 90 paintings always on display from the classical, traditional, and semi-impressionist periods. The Melcalf collection was started in the early 1920s, with the first Paul Melcalf Art Gallery being established in Pasadena in 1936. The gallery then moved in the early 50s and last located in the Statler-Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles closing in 1965
Condition: Oil on canvas, and certainly exhibits its considerable age when inspected. Canvas measures 34 x 27" and was expertly (conservation) framed to 43 x 36" protecting the original wood stretcher with additional braces. There is a about a two inch slit separation in top left edge of canvas, not distracting, but certain there flush with edge of frame. Removing the protective back panel, we note one very small area of restoration, a century or more old. Canvas is stiff from age, there are considerable notations, one dated 1956.
Outside shipping required to which we can recommend one of LA's best and most reasonable. Estimate Value $9,500 - UP
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