Artwork

Still life with candlestick of the "Labours of Hercules" series and two ewers

Still life with candlestick of the "Labours of Hercules" series and two ewers is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Meiffren Conte. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1600, this oil painting presents a carefully arranged still life centered on a decorative candlestick topped with a figure of Hercules, accompanied by two elaborately patterned ewers. The objects rest on a table draped with a blue cloth, allowing the artist to explore light, shadow, and texture within a compact composition.

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of a candlestick bearing Hercules alludes to the painter’s series on the Labours of Hercules, suggesting a symbolic link between the mythic hero’s strength and the everyday objects depicted. The ewers, with their intricate ornamentation, reinforce the theme of luxurious domesticity while hinting at the broader narrative of heroic endeavor.

Technique & Style

Employing early Baroque chiaroscuro, the artist models the forms through strong contrasts of light and dark, giving the objects a three‑dimensional presence. Layers of transparent glaze build depth of colour, while occasional impasto adds tactile surface quality, demonstrating a sophisticated command of oil‑painting methods typical of the period.

History & Provenance

The work was executed by Meiffren Conte, a French painter who trained in Rome under the influence of Francesco Noletti. It entered the collection of the Palace of Versailles, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings, representing Conte’s reputation as a specialist in still‑life composition.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Meiffren Conte

Meiffren Conte or Comte (c.1630 – c.1705) was a French painter. He was born in Marseille, but completed his artistic training in Rome, where he was strongly influenced by the work of Francesco Noletti (1611–1654). He…