Who painted Stillleben?

Stillleben was painted by Francesco Maltese in 1635.

Where can I see Stillleben?

Stillleben is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Stillleben?

Stillleben is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Stillleben

Francesco Maltese , 1635

Stillleben is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francesco Maltese. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1635, *Stillleben* is an early Baroque still‑life painted by Francesco Maltese, an Italian artist active in Rome. The work presents a densely arranged tabletop scene, rendered with a dramatic contrast of light and shadow, and now resides in the Alte Pinakothek. It reflects the period’s interest in detailed, symbolic compositions of everyday objects.

Subject & Meaning

The composition gathers a variety of scholarly and decorative items: a small figurine clutching an object, a stack of uneven books, a quill housed in a jar, and an intricate metal armillary sphere. Behind the table, a modest portrait of a woman and child hangs, while a dark curtain frames the tableau, suggesting a study of knowledge, art, and the celestial.

Technique & Style

Maltese employs chiaroscuro to heighten the visual tension between illuminated surfaces and deep shadows, a hallmark of early Baroque painting. The careful modeling of textures—from the sheen of the armillary sphere to the softness of the cloth—creates a tactile realism, while the overall arrangement conveys a sense of ordered chaos typical of the genre.

History & Provenance

Born Francesco Noletti in Valletta around 1611, the artist later adopted the name Il Maltese while working in Rome, where he died in 1654. *Stillleben* entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on display as an example of the Italian still‑life tradition within the broader Baroque movement.

Artist & collection

Artist

Francesco Maltese

Francesco Noletti, also known as Francesco Fieravino (1611, Valletta? – 4 December 1654, Rome) was an Italian still-life painter. He was often referred to by his nickname, Il Maltese.