Edward Collier (Breda circa 1640-1708 London)
A trompe l'oeil still life of a framed letter rack with a copy of Antony Thysius's Sondaghsche uren, a letter, a Delft Almanac, two combs, a quill, a portrait miniature and other objects,
signed with initials 'E.C.' (on the letter, centre)
oil on panel
46.2 x 64.3cm (18 3/16 x 25 5/16in).
Footnotes:
We are grateful to Dr. Fred Meijer for dating the present outstanding and well-preserved example of Collier's work to his mature period when he was working in Leiden between 1702 and 1706. It can be compared closely to two other depictions by the artist of framed letter racks from the same period, both with portraits of Erasmus and both of which are dated 1703 (respectively with Peter Tillou in 1987; and with Richard Green in 2003 - see RKD image nos. 121442 and 107542). In this painting, among the usual arrangement of journals, engravings, letters, combs, sealing wax sticks and other ephemera (signifying an updating of the older 'memento mori' still life model) is included a copy of Antonius Thysius's Sondaghsche uren, ofte Poëtische bedenckingen over eenighe historien uyt de H. Schriftuyr genomen. Gedrukt boek (which was published in Leiden in 1646 and translates as Sunday hours, or Poetic reflections on some histories taken from the Holy Scripture's printed book).

Although the date of Collier's death had been variously given, as early as before 1702 and as late as 1710, this confusion appears to have arisen from the records of burials of men with a similar name in Leiden (an Evert Colier and an Evert Pietersz. Coleyn respectively). We now know, however, that this artist returned to London since his last known painting is signed 'London 1707' and his burial is recorded on 8 September, 1708 at Saint James's, Piccadilly.
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