Artwork
Display of Fruit
Display of Fruit is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen the Younger. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1699, *Display of Fruit* is an oil painting by Flemish artist Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen the Younger. Executed during the height of the Flemish Baroque, the work presents a dense arrangement of fruit that spills over a darkened edge of the canvas. The composition is now part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas concentrates on a loosely gathered assortment of plums, pears and figs, some whole and others cut open, interlaced with leaves and stems. By foregrounding the tactile qualities of the produce, the painting invites contemplation of abundance and the fleeting nature of freshness, themes common to still‑life traditions of the period.
Technique & Style
Verbruggen employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to strike individual pieces of fruit while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. This contrast accentuates texture—glossy skins, soft flesh, and rough stems—giving the objects a near‑tangible presence. The palette is restrained, with a slightly muted overall tone that suggests a subtle aging of the surface.
History & Provenance
The work was produced while Verbruggen was active in Antwerp and later The Hague, where he frequently collaborated with figure painters. After changing hands among private collectors, the painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on display.
Context
During the late seventeenth century, Flemish still‑life painters emphasized lavish displays of food and flowers as symbols of wealth and transience. Verbruggen’s focus on rich textures and vivid arrangements aligns with this tradition, while his occasional partnerships with figure artists reflect a broader Baroque interest in integrating genre scenes with decorative elements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen the Younger
Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen or Gasparo Pedro Verbruggen (baptized on 11 April 1664 in Antwerp – buried on 14 March 1730 in Antwerp) was a Flemish still life painter who is principally known for his decorative still lifes with flowers and…
