Artwork
Still a Bowl of Corn, Artichokes, Grapes and a Parrot
Still a Bowl of Corn, Artichokes, Grapes and a Parrot is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob van Campen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Jacob van Campen’s oil painting, dated around 1650, presents a modest still‑life arrangement on a darkened window ledge. A muted‑toned parrot perches beside a scalloped bowl brimming with corn, artichokes, and grapes, while a few dried leaves and a single flower complete the composition. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The tableau juxtaposes natural produce with an exotic bird, inviting contemplation of abundance and the interplay between cultivated and wild. The inclusion of a parrot—a symbol of the far‑off and the rare in the 17th‑century Dutch imagination—adds a subtle narrative layer to the otherwise domestic setting.
Technique & Style
Van Campen employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the illuminated objects to emerge from the deep shadows of the background. Careful modeling of light on the corn kernels, the glossy skin of the grapes, and the feather texture of the parrot creates a tactile illusion, emphasizing materiality and surface detail.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1650, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings in the 20th century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse. Its attribution to van Campen aligns with his known oeuvre of still‑life works from the Dutch Golden Age, confirming its place within that period’s artistic production.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch artists frequently explored still‑life subjects to display skill in rendering texture and light. Van Campen’s composition reflects contemporary interests in exotic specimens, such as parrots, which were increasingly available through trade, and in the detailed representation of everyday foodstuffs.
Artist & collection
