Artwork
Kitchen utensils, meat and vegetables
Kitchen utensils, meat and vegetables is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Floris van Schooten. It dates from 1605 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1605 by Floris van Schooten, this oil painting belongs to the Dutch Golden Age’s still‑life tradition. It depicts a modest kitchen tableau on a darkened tabletop, where a collection of metal cookware, a peeled rabbit, apples and leafy greens are arranged with quiet attention to everyday materiality.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on ordinary domestic objects—a cast‑iron pot, a frying pan, a piece of meat and fruit—highlighting the routine abundance of a 17th‑century Dutch household. By presenting these items without overt symbolism, van Schooten underscores the period’s fascination with the visual richness of daily life and the moral implication of modest consumption.
Technique & Style
Van Schooten employs a strong chiaroscuro, contrasting bright reflections on the polished metal with deep shadows that recede into the background. This handling of light gives the vessels a tactile presence, while the muted palette and careful modeling of texture convey a sense of realism typical of early Dutch still‑life painters.
History & Provenance
The painting is currently held in the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it forms part of the collection of early Dutch works. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s native Netherlands, reflecting the broader market for still‑life pieces that documented household interiors for both private and public audiences.
Artist & collection
Artist
Floris Gerritsz van Schooten or Floris van Schooten (between 1585 and 1588 – buried 14 November 1656) was a Dutch painter who practised in a broad range of still life genres including breakfast pieces, fruit pieces, market scenes and large…
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