Artwork
Früchtestück
Früchtestück is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis de Heem. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1663, this still‑life painting by Cornelis de Heem—titled Früchtestück—is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek. The work presents a compact arrangement of fruit set against a deep, muted background, inviting close inspection of each element’s texture and form.
Subject & Meaning
At the composition’s centre lies a cluster of grapes, varying from ripe plumpness to withered spots, surrounded by a lemon, a pear, a melon, and a handful of cherries. A folded piece of cloth lies nearby, adding a modest domestic touch and reinforcing the painting’s focus on the fleeting abundance of nature.
Technique & Style
De Heem employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts between illuminated fruit and the surrounding darkness to enhance the illusion of three‑dimensionality. Careful modelling of light on skin and peel, together with subtle reflections, creates a tactile sense of volume that underscores the artist’s mastery of baroque still‑life conventions.
History & Provenance
The canvas has remained in the public domain since its acquisition by the Alte Pinakothek, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch Golden Age holdings. Its documented provenance traces directly to the artist’s workshop, confirming its authenticity as an original 1663 work by de Heem.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis de Heem was a still-life painter associated with both Flemish Baroque and Dutch Golden Age painting.
Früchtestück (zugeschrieben)
Still life with lobster, fruit, peeled lemon, rummer, silver dish and faience dish on a dark tablecloth
Fruit piece
Still life with a nautilus cup
Still life with fruits
Früchtestück
Stillleben mit Früchten und toten Vögeln
Blumenstrauß vor Nische
Stone Table with Glass, Cake and Fruit
Früchtestück