Dutch still life

'Still Life with Fruit on a Stone Ledge', attributed to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

Still life, with wonderful unfurled orange peel, by Dutch still-life specialist Albertus Steenbergen. (Image source: Rijksmuseum)

Seventeenth-century Dutch artist Willem van Aelst painted still lifes that are remarkable for their fine finish, carefully balanced composition, elegant subject matter, and rich, jewel-toned palette. Elegance and Refinement is an unprecedented exhibition of more than 25 paintings that celebrate the exquisite work of a neglected master who had a significant impact on late-17th-century still-life painting. Van Aelst (1627–1683) was one of the most technically brilliant Dutch still-life…

Willem Kalf was the master of the pronkstilleven with was a form of still life that featured rare and valuable items. I have been for some time searching for a Ginger Jar that featured in his work, whilst not identical, this is pretty close. One of things I love about Kalf is his ability to paint the translucency of porcelain. Chinese Kraak porcelain was much in demand by the royalty of Europe, a little Kalpmuts bowl like this would have commanded quite a price in its day. It is so light and…

Oil on paper mounted on panel Adriaen Coorte [Dutch Golden Age painter, ca.1660-1707] Adriaen Coorte’s collected works comprises more than 60 signed paintings, almost all of which are dated between 1683 and 1705. His manner of painting was highly refined, and his works small in scale. Initially Coorte painted more traditional subjects, such as vanitas still lifes, before concentrating on fruit, vegetables, nuts, and shells. The objects in his still lifes are often shown life-size, resting on…

Bas Meeuws

Check out our small guide to symbols in Dutch and Flemish still life painting. What lemons, apples, birds, candles or... cats say about them?

A biography and image of a work of the Dutch painter Ambrosio Bosschaert

Adriaen Coorte [Dutch Golden Age painter, ca.1660-1707] Adriaen Coorte’s collected works comprises more than 60 signed paintings, almost all of which are dated between 1683 and 1705. His manner of painting was highly refined, and his works small in scale. Initially Coorte painted more traditional subjects, such as vanitas still lifes, before concentrating on fruit, vegetables, nuts, and shells. The objects in his still lifes are often shown life-size, resting on a stone table, and always lit…