Artwork
Still life with fish
Still life with fish is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Alexander Adriaenssen. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1660, this oil painting presents a disordered arrangement of fish and shellfish on a darkened tabletop.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1660, this oil painting presents a disordered arrangement of fish and shellfish on a darkened tabletop. A sizeable flounder dominates the composition, accompanied by a lobster, clams and several smaller fish, while a copper pot rests at the left edge. The objects are rendered with a tactile sense of wetness, set against a deep background that heightens their visual presence.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on a commonplace market haul, emphasizing the materiality of the catch rather than symbolic narrative. By displaying the creatures in a seemingly spontaneous pile, the artist invites contemplation of abundance, the transience of food, and the sensory experience of texture and sheen inherent in marine life.
Technique & Style
Employing a pronounced chiaroscuro, the painter contrasts luminous, reflective scales with a somber backdrop, creating a near‑luminescent effect. Fine brushwork captures the minute ridges of shells and the glistening wetness of flesh, while the overall handling remains characteristic of Flemish Baroque realism, balancing meticulous detail with a loosely arranged composition.
History & Provenance
The canvas is attributed to Alexander Adriaenssen, a Flemish artist noted for his still‑life renderings of fish and game. After remaining in private hands for centuries, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of Dutch Golden Age works.
Context
Produced during the Dutch Golden Age, the piece reflects a period when still‑life painting flourished in the Low Countries, driven by a market for realistic depictions of everyday objects. Adriaenssen’s focus on marine subjects aligns with contemporary interests in trade, culinary culture, and the scientific observation of nature.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Adriaenssen (1587–1661) was a Flemish Baroque painter, particularly known for his still-lifes of fish and game pieces. He also painted banquet pieces with food and flower still lifes.
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