Artwork
Still Life. Breakfast Piece
Still Life. Breakfast Piece is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1642 by the artist known as 1492_person, this still‑life image—titled “Still Life.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1642 by the artist known as 1492_person, this still‑life image—titled “Still Life. Breakfast Piece”—is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The composition presents a modest morning repast arranged on a white‑covered table, rendered with a level of detail that invites close inspection.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a simple breakfast setting: a pewter plate bearing a slice of bread, a knife, a lemon wedge, and a glass of wine. By focusing on everyday objects, the piece reflects the period’s interest in the quiet dignity of daily life and the sensory experience of a shared meal.
Technique & Style
Soft, diffused lighting illuminates the scene while deeper shadows define the forms, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that enhances three‑dimensionality. The careful rendering of textures—metallic sheen of the pewter, the porous surface of the bread, the translucence of the wine glass—produces a convincing illusion of tactile presence.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the mid‑17th century, the image has remained within institutional holdings, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. The museum’s records list it as part of the permanent display, where it contributes to the broader narrative of still‑life traditions in European art.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
