Artwork
Still-Life with Cherries and Strawberries in China Bowls
Still-Life with Cherries and Strawberries in China Bowls is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Osias Beert. It dates from 1608 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1608, this copper painting by Osias Beert presents a meticulously arranged tabletop scene. The composition features two Kraak porcelain bowls filled with vivid cherries and strawberries, a loaf of bread, a plate of plums, and three glasses—one holding a dark liquid, another clear, and a golden goblet holder. The work is part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting concentrates on ordinary consumables and luxury objects, reflecting the early 17th‑century fascination with abundance and the visual pleasure of food. By juxtaposing fresh fruit with fine porcelain and glassware, Beert underscores the material culture of Antwerp’s merchant class, inviting contemplation of wealth, taste, and the transience of perishable goods.
Technique & Style
Beert employs a precise, almost scientific observation of surface textures, rendering the glossy sheen of glass and the delicate skin of fruit with fine brushwork. The dark, uniform background creates a stark contrast that heightens the colors—a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes volume and light. The copper support contributes a subtle luminosity to the overall surface.
History & Provenance
Active in Antwerp between roughly 1580 and 1623, Beert was instrumental in establishing still life as an autonomous genre in Northern Europe. This 1608 work exemplifies his early output, focusing on tabletop arrangements. After changing hands among private collectors, the painting entered the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it remains on display.
Context
The inclusion of Kraak porcelain bowls—imported Chinese wares popular in the Dutch and Flemish markets—signals the global trade networks of the period. Such objects were status symbols, and their depiction alongside locally sourced fruit reflects the intersection of domestic life and international commerce in early modern Antwerp.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Osias Beert or Osias Beert the Elder (c. 1580 – 1623) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp who played an important role in the early development of flower and "breakfast"-type still lifes as independent genres in…
