Artwork
Stillleben (?)
Stillleben (?) is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Franz Werner Tamm. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1696 by the German painter Franz Werner Tamm, this work is a still‑life composition now part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. The canvas presents a dim interior where a woman in a white dress is seated at a table laden with bread, fruit, dishes and a silver teapot, while a solitary candle casts a modest glow.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, partially concealed by her own hand, draws attention to the act of serving or perhaps a moment of quiet contemplation. The abundance of food and domestic objects suggests themes of hospitality and the transience of material pleasures, common in late‑seventeenth‑century Northern European genre painting.
Technique & Style
Tamm employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing illuminated surfaces—particularly the food, the woman’s hands, and the candle flame—against deep shadows that recede into the background. The muted palette and careful modeling of textures, from the sheen of silver to the softness of fabric, reflect the Baroque interest in dramatic lighting and tactile realism.
History & Provenance
After its execution in the late 1600s, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Bavarian State for the Alte Pinakothek, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of German Baroque art. Its catalogue number, Q30095139, identifies it within the museum’s inventory system.
Artist & collection
