Artwork
Still Life of Fruit in a formal Garden
Still Life of Fruit in a formal Garden is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1673 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
Still Life of Fruit in a formal Garden is a 17th-century oil painting by Nicolaes Maes, a Dutch artist trained by Rembrandt. The work is part of the Ashmolean Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a basket of fruit on a stone path in a formal garden, with some fruit spilling out onto the ground. The arrangement is set amidst trees and foliage, conveying a sense of serenity and abundance.
Technique & Style
Maes used oil paint to capture the textures and colors of the fruit and garden surroundings. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, likely contributed to the painting's overall effect.
History & Provenance
Created around 1673, the painting is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period characterized by significant artistic and commercial growth in the Netherlands.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
