Artwork
Früchtestück
Früchtestück is an unspecified painting by Maximilian Pfeiler. It dates from 1706 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1706, this still‑life painting by Maximilian Pfeiler depicts an assortment of fruit arranged on a flat surface. The composition is dominated by grapes and apples, presented in differing states of maturity, which creates a visual narrative of abundance. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas concentrates on a bountiful display of fruit, a common motif in early‑modern European still lifes that symbolized both material plenty and the fleeting nature of life. By juxtaposing ripe, fresh pieces with those that appear slightly wilted, the artist hints at the passage of time and the cycles of growth and decay.
Technique & Style
Pfeiler employs a rich palette to render the varied textures of the fruit, from the glossy skins of grapes to the matte surfaces of apples. Careful modeling of light and shadow gives each item a three‑dimensional presence, while the loose handling of background elements allows the fruit to dominate the visual field, spilling beyond the picture plane.
History & Provenance
The painting, catalogued as Q30057462, entered the Alte Pinakothek's holdings at an unspecified date, joining the museum's extensive Baroque collection. Its attribution to Maximilian Pfeiler, an artist active in the early eighteenth century, is based on stylistic analysis and archival records linking the work to his oeuvre.
Artist & collection
