Artwork
Still life with covered beaker and fruit
Still life with covered beaker and fruit is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Willemsz Horst. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Still life with covered beaker and fruit, painted in 1651 by Gerrit Willemsz Horst, is a characteristic example of Dutch Golden Age still-life painting. The work features a composition of everyday and luxury items on a dark table.
Subject & Meaning
The painting showcases a selection of fruit (pears, peaches, grapes) in bowls, alongside a metal beaker and a cloth-covered dish, set against a dark background. These elements reflect the Dutch fascination with both mundane life and exotic, imported goods during the period.
Technique & Style
Horst employed strong chiaroscuro effects, where pronounced light sources create glowing highlights on the fruit while casting deep shadows, enhancing the overall visual contrast and depth. This technique, set against a dark table and background, accentuates the vibrant colors of the fruit.
History & Provenance
Created under the influence of Horst's training with Antonie Hendricksz Lust and later Rembrandt, the painting is now part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Context
This work was produced during a peak period for refined still-life painting in the Netherlands, characterized by meticulous attention to light, shadow, and the depiction of both ordinary and luxury items.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Willemsz Horst (1612–1652) was a Dutch Golden Age painter from the Dutch Republic.
