GASPAR DE WITTE (FLEMISH 1624-1681) Rest on the Flight into ...

Hammer

€10,000

GASPAR DE WITTE (FLEMISH 1624-1681) Rest on the Flight into Egypt Signed and dated 1653 lower right Oil on canvas, 135 x 204cm Provenance: By repute Shelton Abbey, Co. Wicklow; Private Collection, Dublin 1950's, thence by descent Gaspar de Witte was a Flemish painter specialising in Italianate landscapes. Born in Antwerp, he travelled to Rome in 1646, where he joined the Bentvueghels, a society of Dutch and Flemish artists active in Rome from 1620 to 1720. ‘Rest on the Flight into Egypt’ is a poignant example of the artist’s engagement with the Italianate style characteristic of the period. Italianate landscape painting, known for its idealised and picturesque representation of natural scenery, often features expansive, atmospheric vistas, classical ruins, and serene, harmonious compositions. This style reflects the influence of Italian masters and the romanticized views of the Italian countryside. In this piece, de Witte skilfully integrates these elements, creating a scene where nature is a dominant feature. In the background, the classical ruins capture the essence of the Italianate tradition. In the left foreground, he highlights his unique interpretative approach by integrating an idyllic peasant scene with small figures and animals, which alludes to the religious narrative.