A richly layered, hand-painted oil on canvas still life attributed to Belgian painter Max Albert Carlier (1872–1938), known for his luminous floral and game compositions in the academic realist tradition. Signed M. Carlier in red at the lower right, this painting is a stunning example of the late 19th- to early 20th-century revival of vanitas and hunt-inspired still life painting.
Set against a backdrop of deep teal drapery and cool stone, the composition features a suspended brace of game birds, ripe grapes, overripe plums, and a lush urn overflowing with roses and chrysanthemums. The painter’s control of light and shadow brings a quiet intensity to the work, with details like the softness of feathers and translucence of petals rendered with extraordinary sensitivity. It's a piece that balances naturalism with narrative, echoing centuries of European tradition while standing strong as a decorative focal point for today’s interiors.
Paintings like this were typically displayed in formal dining rooms, libraries, and salons, spaces where tradition and atmosphere mattered. With its large scale and emotional weight, this piece brings that same old-world depth into modern spaces, whether styled in a maximalist gallery wall or as a dramatic anchor over a sideboard.
Works attributed to Carlier continue to appear at major auction houses including Christie’s, Bonhams, and Dorotheum.
Condition:
This oil on canvas has been professionally relined, a common and appropriate conservation method for earlier works, ensuring long-term stability. The paint surface is in excellent condition with strong color retention and no visible areas of loss, flaking, or overpainting. It is housed in a mid-20th-century giltwood frame with minor surface wear consistent with age, including a few small chips and corner rubs. The frame is structurally sound and ready for display. The canvas sits securely on a modern stretcher. Hanging hardware is intact.
Unframed Condition:
This oil on canvas has been professionally relined, which is an appropriate conservation method for works of this age, especially those showing early canvas wear or structural looseness. The canvas is now strong, clean, and stable. The paint surface retains excellent color saturation with no flaking or losses noted. The brushwork is well-preserved and the original signature remains crisp. The canvas is securely stretched over a later stretcher (likely mid-20th century) and exhibits evidence of professional studio care. Nail edges are visible along the sides, and the corners are clean with minor expected age wear. The piece is currently unframed, allowing flexibility for custom framing to suit your space or aesthetic.
Artist Biography: Max Albert Carlier (1872–1938)
Max Albert Carlier was a Belgian painter born in Tourcoing, France in 1872, who established his career in Brussels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Best known for his richly detailed still life paintings, Carlier specialized in subjects such as floral arrangements, game birds, and fruit compositions—often rendered in a moody, academic realist style that echoes the influence of the Dutch and Flemish Baroque masters.
Carlier’s works are characterized by their deliberate composition, controlled lighting, and masterful brushwork, often exploring themes of abundance, transience, and domestic ritual. He was part of a broader movement of late Belle Époque painters who celebrated traditional forms while imbuing them with emotional nuance.
His paintings have been sold through major European and international auction houses, including Christie’s, Bonhams, and Dorotheum, and can be found in private collections across Europe and North America. He often signed his works as “M. Carlier” or “Max A. Carlier,” both of which are documented in sales records and gallery inventories.
Carlier passed away in Brussels in 1938, but his work continues to resonate with collectors and designers who value timeless subject matter, expert technique, and the warm, layered atmosphere of early 20th-century Continental realism.
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