Artwork
Still Life with Silver-gilt Bekerschroef with Roemer
Still Life with Silver-gilt Bekerschroef with Roemer is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Abraham van Beijeren. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650, this oil painting by Abraham van Beijeren presents a meticulously arranged still life. A darkened table draped in a deep red cloth supports a gleaming silver‑gilt bekerschroef holding a glass goblet, accompanied by grapes, a sliced peach, an opened oyster, and a round cheese. The nearly black background isolates the objects, emphasizing their texture and material richness.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a luxurious drinking‑glass holder, a bekerschroef, a status symbol in 17th‑century Dutch households. By juxtaposing the precious metalwork with perishable foods such as fruit, shellfish, and cheese, the work reflects contemporary preoccupations with abundance, the fleeting nature of pleasure, and the display of wealth within the domestic sphere.
Technique & Style
Van Beijeren employs the chiaroscuro typical of Dutch Baroque, using strong contrasts between the illuminated objects and the dark backdrop. Fine brushwork renders the reflective surfaces of silver and glass, while the textures of fruit skin and cheese are conveyed through subtle variations in tone. The overall effect is a polished, almost photographic realism.
History & Provenance
Originally painted in the Dutch Golden Age, the canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains on view. Its attribution to van Beijeren is supported by stylistic parallels with his other still lifes, which often feature opulent table settings and meticulous detail.
Context
Abraham van Beijeren began his career as a marine artist before turning to still life, a genre that flourished in the Netherlands during the mid‑1600s. His works frequently showcase rare objects such as silver‑gilt bekerschroefs, reflecting the period’s fascination with exotic goods and the growing affluence of the merchant class.
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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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