Artwork
Simulated Sculpted Head of a Woman in a Cartouche Decorated with Swags of Fruit
Simulated Sculpted Head of a Woman in a Cartouche Decorated with Swags of Fruit is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Joris van Son. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The work presents a white marble bust of a woman surrounded by ornamental garlands of fruit, including grapes, peaches, plums, cherries, pears, oranges and apples, with butterflies interspersed among the produce. It is a painted composition that unites four originally separate panels into a single visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is rendered as an idealized, smooth-faced marble head, evoking classical sculpture. The surrounding fruit and insects function as a decorative still‑life, emphasizing abundance and the sensual qualities of the natural world while framing the timeless portrait.
Technique & Style
Executed in paint, the artist achieved a trompe‑lé effect, rendering the fruit with such precision that the textures and colors appear almost tangible. The contrast between the polished marble surface and the vivid, detailed fruit demonstrates a skillful blend of portraiture and still‑life conventions.
History & Provenance
The composition consists of four panels, catalogued as SK‑A‑763/766, that were later conjoined to form the present unified image. The work is part of a collection that includes similar painted still‑life experiments, notably those held by the Rijksmuseum.
Context
During the period when such hybrid works were popular, artists often combined portraiture with elaborate still‑life elements to showcase technical virtuosity and to appeal to collectors interested in both classical motifs and decorative richness.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joris van Son or Georg van Son (baptized 24 September 1623 – buried 25 June 1667 in Antwerp) was a Flemish still life painter who worked in a number of sub-genres but is principally known for his still lifes of fruit.
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Wreath of fruit, with some flowers, suspended from a metal ring
Cartouche with fruit and flowers and wine glass
Still life with fruit
Still Life
Garland of Fruit and Flowers
Fruit still life of pumpkin, melon, grapes, peaches and pomegranates; right a garden vase, left a sarcophagus
White Bust in a Flower and Fruit Garland