Artwork
Cartouche with Garlands of Fruit and a Wine Glass
Cartouche with Garlands of Fruit and a Wine Glass is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Alexander Coosemans. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1642, this oil painting by Flemish artist Alexander Coosemans presents a classic Baroque still life. Central to the composition is a solitary wine glass, surrounded by luxuriant garlands of fruit that sweep around the canvas edges, suggesting motion and abundance. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst.
Subject & Meaning
The arrangement combines a clear glass vessel with a variety of fruits—grapes, lemons, berries—organized into decorative wreaths. Such compositions often allude to the fleeting nature of pleasure and material wealth, echoing the vanitas tradition prevalent in 17th‑century Flemish art.
Technique & Style
Coosemans employs a muted palette of deep reds, greens, and earth tones, while rendering light that catches the glass and highlights the fruit surfaces. Strong chiaroscuro creates pronounced shadows, giving the objects a three‑dimensional presence that enhances the sense of tactile realism.
History & Provenance
Alexander Coosemans, active between 1627 and 1689, was known for still lifes that featured fruit, flowers, and game. This particular piece reflects his engagement with the pronkstilleven genre—opulent banquet scenes—within the broader Flemish Baroque movement. It entered the Statens Museum for Kunst collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Coosemans (1627–1689) was a Flemish Baroque painter specialized in still lifes of flower pieces, fruit, and inanimate subjects. He painted vanitas still lifes, pronkstillevens and game pieces.
