Oil on panel, 56 x 42 cm, including frame 70 x 54 cm. Signed and dated Jo An von Düwens pinx 1701 lower center on the column.

With inscription: ”Wie es wolt Sommer werden. Da müst ich von der Erden / Bringen frucht in gedult”.

With indistinct inscription on the reverse: ”[...] av Nature Morte”.

Little is known about the painter Johann Andreas von Düwens, who came from a family of artists. Both his father, Daniel Duwens and five of his brothers, including Heinrich Duwens, who is slightly more recognized, were painters. It is not known when he was born but the records state that in 1694 Düwens came to Zerbst from Danzig and was appointed court painter at easter 1697. Before coming to Zerbst, Düwens also visited other cities in Germany and travelled to countries like Poland, France and Sweden. Some of his travels are recorded in a small notebook together with simple drawings he created during his trips. He worked at the Zerbst castle, which was the residence of the House of Anhalt-Zerbst, until his death in 1716. His most notable achievement was the creation of eight wall and three ceiling paintings in the church hall, which served as a dining room. The artworks were created between 1710-1712, which can be traced in the princely Anhalt-Zerbst court accounts. The paintings were unfortunately destroyed in 1945 by the bombs in World War II.

This newly discovered vanitas still life by Düwens, signed and dated, is one of the few portable paintings known by the artist. Only a couple of portraits have previously been recorded through engravings. Dated 1701, the still life was painted while Düwens worked at the court. The composition includes various objects and symbols. The statue of Pallas Athena, placed in the centre of the composition, embodies wisdom, warfare and craftsmanship. Surrounded by the arched palace wing, Athena is also accompanied by a skull and flowers, common elements that are represented in vanitas paintings. These symbols remind the viewer of the transience of life, the futility of pleasure and the certainty of death. The inscriptions on the arched wing probably comes from a German summer song and means the following: ”As soon as it is going to be summer, I have to leave the earth”. The last sentence is taken from Luke 8:15: ”Bear fruit with patience”. Both of the writings refer back to the concept of circle of life.

Filled with morals and guidances for the mankind, the present painting strikes with its impressive composition with attention to detail. Bright colours and carefully chosen symbols create this astonishing still life by an artist who is yet to be studied.