Still Life with Fishes
Author: Giuseppe Recco
Origin: Unknown
Dating: 17th century
Material: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions (cm): 111,7 x 148,3
Inv. no.: PD0205
(This painting has been restored with the patronage of the Ave College from Guimarães.)
This painting depicts a still life with fishes. Among the fishes, there are three copper vats – one containing water and the other fishes. The artist introduced other elements such as cabbage leaves, an iron skewer piercing a fish and the sky. The latter is represented in darkened tones as if during dusk. The representation of the fishes uses a palette of vivid and luminous colours that contrast with the other elements – allowing the animals to be in evidence.
Giuseppe Recco (Naples, 1634 – Alicante, 1695), was an Italian Baroque painter, which is considered the most important still life painter of 17th-century Naples.
He learned to paint from his father – the painter Giacomo Recco – and some authors claim that he was also taught by his uncle – Giovanni Battista Recco. He painted primarily still lifes – scenes of kitchens, game, flower arrangements, fishes, molluscs and crustaceans, meats and fruits.
Giuseppe Recco’s official artistic career is marked by a series of signed works dating from 1664 to 1691, although there are some gaps – which may be due to the fact that he sold his works on the open market, dispensing written contracts.
From the beginning of his career, Giuseppe Recco had the habit of signing or initialing – and often even dating – his paintings: “Gio Recco”, “Gios. Recco”, “G. Recco” or “G.R.”. In the last years of his life, he signed as “EQS RECCO” (“Eques” corresponds to the title of Knight). According to De Dominici – an Italian art historian – this title relates to the title of Knight of the Order of Calatrava, that he is said to have been awarded. However, according to more recent studies, the most likely hypothesis is that it was another title conferred by the Church to artists.
His work was highly appreciated: he worked for several Spanish viceroys in Naples and, due to his great fame, Charles II of Spain summoned him to his Court in Madrid.
