Artwork
Still life with lobster, fruit, peeled lemon, rummer, silver dish and faience dish on a dark tablecloth
Still life with lobster, fruit, peeled lemon, rummer, silver dish and faience dish on a dark tablecloth is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Abraham van Beijeren. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Still life with lobster, fruit, peeled lemon, rummer, silver dish and faience dish on a dark tablecloth is a 17th-century Dutch Baroque painting by Abraham van Beijeren, created in 1660. The work features an elaborate arrangement of luxury items and seafood on a dark tablecloth.
Subject & Meaning
The painting showcases a lavish still life, combining exotic seafood (a lobster), fresh fruit (grapes, peaches, and a peeled lemon), and luxury vessels (a silver dish, a faience dish, and a rummer glass). This composition reflects the wealth and opulence characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age.
Technique & Style
Van Beijeren's use of light is a notable aspect, as it dynamically highlights shiny surfaces (such as the silver dish and glass) while rendering other areas more subdued, thereby enhancing the overall sense of depth and texture within the composition.
History & Provenance
Originally trained in marine painting, Abraham van Beijeren shifted his focus to still lifes, gaining recognition for his elaborate and luxurious compositions. This piece is currently part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin's collection.
Context
This painting is emblematic of the Dutch Golden Age, a 17th-century period distinguished by the Netherlands' flourishing artistic production, marked by detailed realism and the depiction of everyday luxury.
Legacy
While specific lasting influences of this exact work are not detailed, it contributes to the broader legacy of Dutch Baroque still-life painting, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and the interplay of light and shadow.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Abraham Hendriksz van Beijeren or Abraham van Beyeren (c. 1620, The Hague – March 1690, Overschie (Rotterdam)) was a Dutch Baroque painter of still lifes. Little recognized in his day and initially active as a marine…
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