Dutch still life

Beautiful musings of flora and fare.

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…

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…

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

Last week was the first class of my winter term “ Still Life with Oils - Master Copy Class” , taught online through the Art League of Alexandria. This term the master copy we are focusing on is a Dutch Golden Age Still Life by Willem van Aelst “Flower Still Life with a Watch, 1663”.

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

The still life has witnessed a transformative and interesting evolution from the bottom of the hierarchy of artistic genres – its subjects not considered important enough by humanists to be worth painting – to the magnificent Dutch Golden Age still lifes, which arose under a protestant spirit that"u2026

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

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…

Here is my website Kevin Best Still Life Photographer The chinese bowls in these works are known as Kraak Porcelain it was produced from the Wanli reign (1563-1620) until around 1640. the name came from the Portuguese ships Carracks, which transported them. I marvel when I think of what these wafer thin delicate little objects have been though and survived.