Berninck (2 results)

A set of botanical watercolour drawings signed by the Dutch artist H[endrik?] Berninck who was active in Amsterdam from ca. 1770 until at least 1789. The set includes 6 watercolours after Chinese originals, each depicting a flower, woody plant or branch from a fruit tree set on a somewhat flat background, and 1 floral still life, showing a flower in a pot, with 2 blossoming buds. Berninck started as a copper smith, but was able to live as an artist after an inheritance. Few of his works are known to survive, all flower paintings and drawings in the style of Jan van Huysum and Rachel Ruysch. Only a few very tiny specks, otherwise all in fine condition.l For the artist: Scheen, p. 84; Thieme & Becker III, p. 460; Wurzbach I, p. 92. Each mounted on a backing sheet in a modern passepartout (35 x 45.5 cm). Set of 7 watercolour drawings on laid paper of various sizes ranging from 23 x 19 to 23 x 30.5.

Each measuring 27x22cm. Mounted on contemporary cardboard. With Chinese titles in the top right hand margin. Ink signature 'H. Berninck Fe[cit]' in lower left margin. [Amsterdam], n.d. [but ca.  H. Berninck was a coppersmith active in Amsterdam between 1770 and 1787, who, enabled by an inheritance, gave up his craft to practice flower and fruit painting. He became adept at imitating the flower arrangements of Jan van Huysum and Rachel Ruysch, and it would appear that the present three images were copied from late 18th century Chinese export paintings. .