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Daniel Seghers (Anversa 1590-1661) e Erasmus Quellinus II (Anversa 1607-1678), maniera di
Altar with the image of the Virgin surrounded by a garland of flowers, second quarter of the 17th century
oil painting on canvas
88 x 73.5 cm
The painting is attributable to the prolific circle of artists who grew up following Daniel Seghers. It also follows the way of painting scrolls and sacred images of one of his major collaborators, Erasmus Quellinus II.
Raised as a Protestant, Master Daniel Seghers converted to Catholicism and joined the Jesuit order.
He became the supreme creator of a type of still life deeply Catholic: flower garlands surrounding stone scrolls or, as in this case, gilded and richly carved altarpieces, often framing typically contemplative religious scenes. Seghers specialized almost exclusively in paintings based on this concept. This peculiar genre has not only paved the way for its success but has aroused a large following of pupils and epigonic artists.
The formula of the flowery garland that surrounds a cartouche in which a religious scene is painted certainly invited collaboration with colleagues specialized in the painting of figurative subjects for the central scene and, consequently, Seghers often collaborated with painters, such as Rubens, Hendrick van Balen, Thomas Willboirts Bosschaert, Simon de Vos and , in Rome (1625-27), with Nicolas Poussin and Domenichino. However, among the most successful contributions there was that of Erasmus Quellinus II, with whom he created about thirty paintings.