“Preparing the feast”, Alexis Van Hamme

Genre scene depicting two women, mother and daughter, preparing a feast in the family kitchen. Beautiful oil on panel by the very talented Alexis Van Hamme. The staging of the scene is typical of the artist. A detailed view through a stone arch window with a sculpted bas-relief and tapestry hanging on the side to amplify the sensation of intimacy, almost as if the viewer is lurking. It also refers to the theater. Lots of food on the edge of the window, still life’s on vegetables and birds. In the back, the door is open, and a man is walking in the street. He used the same window in several of his work, like in “the Old Lacemaker” (1847) in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. Signed and dated 1858. Original frame.

Size: H 66cm x W 59cm – H 90cm x 78 cm

Belgian school of the 19th century.

Lit: Alexis Van Hamme (Brussels 1818 – 1875) was a Belgian painter, known primarily for historical genre scenes. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp), with Nicaise De Keyser and Henri Leys; both of whom had a decisive influence on his approach to painting. His works consist mainly of interior genre scenes, rendered in great detail. Most of them feature 17th-century settings, in the style of the old Dutch masters; especially those known as the “fijnschilders”. The physical details of his rooms and furnishings owe much to Gerrit Dou. One of his more specifically historical works, “The Entry of Albert and Isabella into Brussels in 1599”, was purchased by King Leopold I.
Works in the Fine Arts Museum of Belgium, the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery (“Poultry Seller”) and His “Dutch Market” is displayed at the New York Public Library.