Thomas de Paep (ca. 1628–1630 – 1670) was a Flemish painter active in Mechelen who specialized in still lifes, particularly fruit still lifes.
Life
Very little is known about the life of Thomas de Paep. He was born in Mechelen, an artistic center in the Southern Netherlands not far from Antwerp. In 1638, he became a pupil of Jean Baptiste (II) Saive. He attained the status of master in the Mechelen Guild of Saint Luke in 1648. He remained active in Mechelen until his death in 1670.
Work
De Paep painted still lifes, typically featuring fruit and ancillary objects such as glasses of wine, lemons, cherries, peaches, figs, and melons. His works appear to have been influenced by Jan Davidsz. de Heem, a prominent still-life painter who worked in nearby Antwerp.
A painting titled Cockerel and Two Hens (Royal Collection, dated 1650–1670), depicting a landscape with poultry against a ruined wall and a mountainous background, has been attributed to de Paep.
Alternative Name Spellings
Variant spellings of his name include: Thomas de Gaep, Thomas de Pape, Thomas de Papen, Thomas De Paep, and Thomas van Paep.
