Artwork
Decorative Still-Life Composition with a Basket of Fruit
Decorative Still-Life Composition with a Basket of Fruit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
Decorative Still-Life Composition with a Basket of Fruit is a copper painting created by Jan van Kessel the Elder around 1662. It exemplifies the artist's skill in still life, a genre in which he worked during the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a basket overflowing with fruit and flowers, surrounded by leaves and vines on a table. The arrangement conveys a sense of abundance and lushness, featuring a variety of fruits and flowers in rich, vibrant colors.
Technique & Style
The work showcases van Kessel's use of color and composition to create a sense of energy and movement. The palette is dominated by deep reds and greens, with chiaroscuro contributing to the overall visual effect.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Kessel the Elder or Jan van Kessel (I) (baptized 5 April 1626, Antwerp – 17 April 1679, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp in the mid-17th century.
