Artwork
Paris mit dem Apfel
Paris mit dem Apfel is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Frans Pietersz de Grebber. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1634, this oil painting by Frans Pietersz de Grebber—titled Paris mit dem Apfel—is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek. The work presents a solitary female figure seated against an unadorned dark backdrop, drawing the viewer’s focus to her poised posture and the objects she holds.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman clutching a knife and an apple, symbols traditionally linked to the myth of Paris and the golden apple. Her relaxed yet attentive expression, combined with the modest attire—a loose, off‑the‑shoulder white garment trimmed in lace and a dark undershirt—suggests a contemplative moment within the narrative.
Technique & Style
De Grebber employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the woman's face and arm. The illumination creates deep shadows and crisp highlights, lending a three‑dimensional quality to the composition and emphasizing the tactile texture of the fabrics and the gleam of the apple.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in the public domain since its early acquisition, eventually entering the holdings of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. Its provenance reflects the museum’s focus on Dutch and Flemish Baroque works, situating de Grebber among his contemporaries in the collection.
Context
Frans Pietersz de Grebber worked within the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by meticulous rendering of everyday subjects infused with allegorical meaning. This piece exemplifies the era’s interest in mythological themes presented through intimate, domestic scenes, aligning with broader trends in 17th‑century Northern European art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frans Pietersz de Grebber (1573–1649) was an artist, born in Haarlem.
