Offered by Antichità di Alina
Flemish painting on alabaster: Floral garland with Annunciation, circle of Frans Francken II, Flanders, early 17th century
Rare painting on alabaster, a particularly valuable and unusual support for 17th-century artworks. This piece combines a detailed floral garland with a central scene of the Annunciation, resulting from the collaboration between two specialized workshops: one focused on floral painting and the other on sacred scenes.
The floral garland, attributable to a Flemish painter, includes a wide variety of finely depicted flowers, such as tulips, roses, anemones, and red currants, along with insects like butterflies and dragonflies. The delicacy of the brushstrokes and the botanical precision suggest the influence of the school of Jan Brueghel the Elder or other Flemish masters active in Antwerp in the early 17th century.
The central scene of the Annunciation is attributable to the circle of Frans Francken II. The Archangel Gabriel is depicted with golden hair and richly detailed garments, while the Virgin Mary, in a devotional pose, is portrayed with solemn simplicity. Golden elements, such as the halo of the Holy Spirit dove and the details on the garments, enhance the refinement of the composition.
The alabaster is complete and entirely original, with no missing pieces. Fine cracks are visible, probably caused by an ancient fall, but they have been carefully restored to ensure stability and are now hardly noticeable. The painting is in good condition, with vivid colors and minimal signs of age.
The choice of alabaster as a painting support was rare and required exceptional skill, as the smooth and delicate surface of the stone does not absorb pigments like wood or canvas. This more complex technique allowed for unique luminous effects, enhancing the brilliance of the colors and the stone’s natural translucence.
This painting is a fine example of Flemish tradition, blending botanical naturalism with sacred devotion, on a rare support.
