Jan van OS Middelharnis, 1744 - The Hague, 1808 Bouquet of flowers and fruit on an entablature Oil on panel Signed 'J. Van Os fecit.' at the bottom Bouquet of flowers and fruits on an entablature, oil on pannel, signed, by J. van OS 79 x 58 cm (31,10 x 22,83 in.) Provenance: In the family of the present owners since at least the 1970s; Private collection, Paris Comment: Born in Middelharnis, Jan van Os was trained as a painter by Aart Schouman (1710-1792) in The Hague before joining the confraternity of painters in that city in 1776. Deeply influenced by the work of his compatriot Jan van Huysum (1682-1749), he produced a number of compositions featuring a profusion of fruit and flowers that were sometimes precariously balanced. Here, the illusion of nature is pushed to the limit by the painter, who describes with precision the veins and veins of the leaves with their cut-out profiles, as well as the drops of water beading on the foliage. The recent invention of the microscope enabled artists of this period to paint insects and plants in great detail... A celebration of colours, scents and tastes, Jan van Os's compositions offer enthusiasts a collection of luxury products that were particularly coveted, such as melons and pomegranates, fruits grown in a cold, damp country thanks to the advent of the first greenhouses. Flowers were also particularly sought-after. From the 17th century onwards, the Dutch began to produce complex roses and tulips, with the most elaborate colours and fragrances. Thanks to these remarkable works, Jan van Os enjoyed great success during his lifetime, exhibiting his work in London, France and Germany. In 1775, he married Susanna de la Croix, also an artist, with whom he had two sons, Georgius Jacobus (1782-1891) and Pieter Gerardus, and a daughter, Maria Margaretha, who all took up the profession of painter. We would like to thank Fred Meijer for kindly confirming the authenticity of this panel from a photograph in an email dated 1 February 2024.