Koller Review 2024

26 Lucas Cranach the Elder. Lucretia. Circa 1535–45. Oil on panel. 36.6 × 20.4 cm. Sold for CHF 325 000 This still life with falcon by Clara Peeters (circa 1590– circa 1659) illustrates not only her supreme talent and precise attention to detail, but also her awareness of what could be commercially successful. Falconry was becoming very popular in Flanders at the time Peeters was working there, and she likely had her eye on at- tracting commissions through this subject, one of the earliest depictions of its kind in oil. Very little is known of Peeters’ life, but her still life compositions were in- novative enough to be imitated by other artists in Flan- ders, such as Nicolaes Cave (active 1619–1651). The following centuries continued (and continue) to pose challenges to women artists. Angelica Kauff- mann (1741–1807) is another example of an artist who had a brilliant career despite the restrictions of her time. Born in Switzerland to a family of modest means, she travelled with her artist father to Italy where she was celebrated a child prodigy. Her charm, mastery of many languages and obvious talent won her friends and commissions around Europe, but it was her strong will and determination, as well as her awareness of the Lucas Cranach’s Lucretia fetched four times the estimate.