Who painted Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten?

Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten was painted by Harmen Loeding in 1660.

Where can I see Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten?

Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

What movement is Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten?

Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten

Harmen Loeding , 1660

Stillleben mit Porzellankanne und Früchten is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Harmen Loeding. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. Created around 1660, this oil painting presents a modest still‑life composition.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1660, this oil painting presents a modest still‑life composition. A blue‑white porcelain jug, a shallow bowl spilling pomegranate seeds, and a sprig bearing yellow fruit and verdant leaves rest upon a table draped in a muted brown cloth. The objects are set against a deep, almost black background, emphasizing their forms and subtle colour contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

The arrangement foregrounds everyday luxury: the finely painted jug, the exotic pomegranate, and the ripe fruit suggest abundance and the transient nature of material pleasures. The juxtaposition of natural elements with crafted porcelain invites contemplation of the relationship between nature and human artistry, a common theme in 17th‑century Dutch still lifes.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work displays a restrained palette and meticulous brushwork. The artist renders the glossy surface of the porcelain and the delicate translucency of the pomegranate seeds with fine gradations of light. The dark backdrop functions as a chiaroscuro device, allowing the illuminated objects to emerge with a quiet, almost tactile presence.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Harmen Loeding, a Dutch painter active in the mid‑17th century, the piece has been part of the Kunsthaus Zürich collection. Its dating to circa 1660 places it within the later phase of Loeding’s career, when he focused on intimate domestic subjects rendered with refined simplicity.