TOMAS HIEPES, OR YEPES (1598) / Valencia (1668) "Vase with flowers"

Oil on canvas.
Origin: Madrid, private collection.
Reference bibliography:
- Perez Sanchez, AE, Thomas Yepes, exhibition catalogue, Fundacion Bancaja, Valencia, 1995;
- Romero Asenjo, R., The Spanish still life in the 17th century: revealing its hidden nature, Icono I&R, Madrid, 2009, early 253-277;
- Marco Garcia, V., Baroque painting in Valencia (1600-1737), CEEH, Madrid, 2021.
 
Tomas Hiepes, or Yepes, is one of the main representatives of still life painting of the 17th century, and also the most outstanding figure of the 16th century Valencian school in this type of genre. His production abounds in still lifes, flower painting and, to a lesser extent, landscapes. His abundant production is due to the fact that he managed to develop intense commercial activity within and outside the borders of the Kingdom of Valencia. His works were always highly appreciated by the wealthy classes of Spanish society and, since ancient times, they frequently appear in collection and testamentary inventories. The work we present here is a magnificent example of his production in which he shows, imitating nature, an elegant vase with flowers on a pedestal.
 
The container shows with its shine and highlights the metallic qualities of the object and a rich decoration with masks, shields and gallons. The floral repertoires are typical in the painter's work, among which are flowers such as: irises, lilies, hollyhocks, tulips, daisies, roses, carnations, peonies or jasmines. As is common in the Valencian school, the artist uses a chiaroscuro effect causing a significant contrast between the different elements that make up the still life, bathed in light, and the darkness of the neutral background.
The technique used by Yepes on this canvas is also typical of Valencia, leaving the color of the preparation exposed in some areas to be able to play with a series of chromatic effects due to transparency. In the same way, another common characteristic can also be seen in his still lifes, which is the use of different chromatic bases for the execution of each type of flower; applying primer spots that do not fit the floral silhouette, as they are usually smaller in size, and that serve to create a greater richness of textures, color ranges and lighting effects. This work, in the past, must have formed a pendant with another Flower Vase that appeared in Madrid stores in 2001 (Fernando Duran, Auction of February 26, 2001, lot 259). We base it on the fact that both share the same measurements, similar floral arrangements in their composition, and the same type of bronze metal vase, with a foot, rounded and profusely decorated body. As in this case, in the aforementioned tender its Levantine origin was indicated: “Collection of paintings from an important Valencian house”; Therefore, both paintings must have been conceived at the same time and for the same client.
 
Measurements: 110 x 80 cm.
Medidas: 110 x 80 cm.