Artwork
Stillleben auf einem Tisch
Stillleben auf einem Tisch is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a tabletop arrangement centered on a roasted bird, accompanied by a knife, slices of bread, a glass, a lemon, and a reflective metal pitcher. The objects are rendered with a stark simplicity against a dark backdrop, allowing the illuminated elements to emerge prominently. The composition balances everyday items with a quiet, almost still‑life atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the scene lies the cooked bird, presented on a plate set upon a cloth, suggesting a modest meal or banquet. The inclusion of bread, citrus, and drinking vessels reinforces the theme of nourishment and domestic hospitality, while the careful placement invites contemplation of the fleeting nature of food and the rituals surrounding its consumption.
Technique & Style
The painter employs a restrained palette and a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, using deep shadows to heighten the contrast between light and dark surfaces. The rendering is straightforward, with minimal detail, yet the glossy sheen of the metal pitcher and the subtle textures of the bird’s skin convey a convincing realism within the simplified visual language.
History & Provenance
The piece is catalogued under the German title "Stillleben auf einem Tisch" and is classified as a painting. No further documentation regarding its creation date, artist, or ownership history is provided in the available records.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
