Masterfully still life with drink and food was attributed to the hand  of Zakar Zakarian (Armenian: Զաքար Զաքարյան; 1849 - 7 August 1923), the French painter of Armenian descent.

Because we are not experts for Armenian painters, we sell this nice work as attributed. But the painting was inspected by a professional restorer on the originality of the signature and it was established that the signature is old and from the time the creation of the painting. The buyer will receive his report. 

Zakarian was born in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire ,  received his primary education at a local school. In 1867 he emigrated to Paris to study medicine. After finishing Collège Sainte-Barbe´s medical institution, he worked in hospitals.In the 1870s he became a known painter and master of still lifes. Zakarian participated in international exhibitions, was awarded gold medals in 1889 and 1900 and Chevalier de la Légion d´honneur in 1899. He was considered a new Chardin, "without being a Chardin". Edgar Degas, who was Zakarian´s friend, painted his portrait in 1886. There are works by Zakarian in the museums of Paris, Yerevan, Echmiatsin, Venice and Beirut.He died in Paris, France, on 7 August 1923 at the age of 74.

Literature: in Armenian: https://avproduction.am/?ln=am&page=person&id=3463;

 in German: artist lexicons by Thieme/Becker, by Saur and by Schurr; in Russian: ChudSSSR IV.1, 1983;

 in French: art lexicon by Benezit, Paris, 1999; Macler F. La France et l´Arménie à travers l´art et l´histoire: esquisse. [France and Armenia Through Art and History: A Sketch] Paris, 1917. p. 35;

in English: Kurkman, Garo (2004). Armenian Painters in the Ottoman Empire 1600-1923. Ýstanbul: Matüsalem Publications; Basmajian, Garig (1979). Centenary of Franco-Armenian painting (1879-1979). p. 1912; on-line Wikipedia in English.

Inscription: signed lower left, on the backside of stretcher - labels with the artist biographies in French .

Technique: oil on canvas. Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 18 1/8" x h 15" (51,5 x 39 cm), framed w 23 5/8" x h 20 1/2" (70 x 58,5 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.