Still Life with a Lapis Lazuli Coloured Flower Vase on a Table

David De Noter was born in Ghent on June 24, 1818, and passed away in Saint Eugène Bologhine, Algiers, on January 21, 1892. He was a renowned Belgian painter, celebrated for his detailed still lifes and interior scenes. Born in Ghent, he was the son of Jan-Baptist De Noter, a draftsman and architect, from whom he received his early artistic training. His mother, Carola Maya, married Jan-Baptist shortly before David’s birth. He had a brother, Michaël, who tragically passed away at a young age (1821-1823), and two sisters, Anne-Marie and Edalie.

In 1840, De Noter moved to Brussels, and five years later, on November 25, 1845, he married Clemence Wauters in Mechelen. Together, they had seven children. His son Raphaël would also become a painter.

By the 1860s, De Noter had relocated to Paris, where it is believed he shared a studio with the well-known art dealer J. Goupil around 1864. In his later years, De Noter and his family moved to Algiers, North Africa, where he contributed a floral still life to the Algiers Museum in 1870. By around 1879, he was living in Le Nador, near Marengo.

David De Noter is primarily celebrated for his exquisite still lifes featuring flowers, vegetables, seafood, game, and fruit. He also painted detailed kitchen and salon interiors, as well as genre scenes, often with a strong focus on still life elements within the broader composition. His style combined meticulous realism with a romantic atmosphere, capturing both the beauty and mood of his subjects.

During his time in Algiers, De Noter began painting local scenes, including views of the Kasbah of Algiers.
Throughout his career, De Noter collaborated with notable artists such as Henri Leys, Guillaume Koller, Louis Tuerlinckx, and Alfred Stevens. His works remain highly valued on the art market today.

His paintings were exhibited in various cities, including Kortrijk, Brussels, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Paris. In 1854, he was awarded a gold medal at an exhibition in Brussels.

David De Noter’s artwork has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums across Europe, showcasing the enduring appeal of his detailed and romantic still life paintings. His works can be found in the permanent collections of several important institutions, including: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels; Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cambrai; Stedelijk Museum, Kortrijk; Art Gallery, Leeds; John Selbach Museum, Maaseik; Museum Hof van Busleyden, Mechelen; Musée des Beaux-Arts, Mulhouse; Municipal Collection, Schaerbeek; Museo Revoltella, Trieste; Museo Municipal “Quiñones de León”, Vigo and Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. These institutions, spread across various countries, continue to preserve and exhibit De Noter’s masterful works, allowing future generations to appreciate his contribution to the world of fine art.

David De Noter’s legacy endures through his beautiful and intricate paintings, admired by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world.