Kimbell Art Museum director Eric Lee examined the rich colors of orange, red, and green texturizing the canvas of a 17th century painting by a “mysterious” artist.
The painting, “Still Life with Melon, Watermelon, and Other Fruits,” sat on an easel inside the Fort Worth institution’s conservation studio days before it was to be unveiled to the public.
As Lee circled his finger around the artwork’s details — never touching — he couldn’t help but feel excited about adding the artwork to the museum’s growing collection of still life paintings.
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to add this painting to the Kimbell’s collection, first and foremost because it is such a beautiful painting, but it’s also extremely important in terms of art history,” Lee said.
“Still Life with Melon, Watermelon, and Other Fruits” sits on an easel inside the Kimbell’s conservation studio Aug. 1, 2025. (Isaiah Rodriguez | Fort Worth Report)
Dated between 1610 and 1620, the painting is attributed to the Italian artist known as Pensionante del Saraceni. Historians gave that name to an unidentified painter associated with a small group of artworks created in Rome around that time.
“Still Life With Melon, Watermelon, and Other Fruits” was unknown until 1988 when it was sold at an auction in the south of France, Lee said. The painting moved through private collections until it was purchased by Kimbell Art Foundation this year, which declined to disclose the price paid for the piece.
Lee described del Saraceni as a “fascinating and mysterious” painter who worked among creatives who adopted the style of prominent Italian artist Caravaggio in the decade after his death in 1610.
The Italian painting becomes the sixth still life artwork displayed in the Kimbell’s permanent collection.
This follows the May acquisition of “The Cut Melon” by Jean Siméon Chardin, which had been caught at the center of a lawsuit between an international auction house and a private buyer who refused to pay after bidding a record-breaking $28.76 million for the artwork.
After the bidder failed to complete the transaction, the Kimbell — the original underbidder in the auction — was able to purchase the painting directly.
Before purchasing “Still Life With Melon, Watermelon, and Other Fruits,” the Kimbell’s conservators — Chief Conservator Peter Van de Moortel and Conservator of Paintings Shan Kuang — closely examined the artwork to ensure it was in the best shape possible before the museum considered the acquisition.
Del Saraceni’s work was in “absolutely” excellent condition, Lee said. The museum’s conservation team is tasked with keeping it that way by cleaning or restoring the art and using X-rays to learn more about the materials used to make a painting.
“They care for all of our paintings here and make sure that they are preserved as best as they can be for current and future generations,” he said.
Caravaggio’s “The Cardsharps” painting from 1596-97 sits on an easel inside the Kimbell’s conservation studio Aug. 1, 2025. (Isaiah Rodriguez | Fort Worth Report)
“Still Life With Melon, Watermelon, and Other Fruits” will be displayed next to the 16th-century Caravaggio painting “The Cardsharps,” which is coming home to the Kimbell after being on loan to the Palazzo Barberini in Rome for an exhibition celebrating the Italian artist’s legacy.
The artworks will be on view beginning Aug. 5 in the Kimbell’s Louis I. Khan Building. Admission to the Kimbell’s collection is free.
“Still life painting has suddenly become one of the great strengths of the Kimbell’s collection, whereas, I think it, it might have been considered a weakness before,” Lee said. “This painting is going to become a companion to our great Caravaggio.”
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.
Disclosure: Kimbell Art Museum has been a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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