Who painted Stillleben mit Hummer?

Stillleben mit Hummer was painted by Peter Jacob Horemans in 1766.

Where can I see Stillleben mit Hummer?

Stillleben mit Hummer is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Stillleben mit Hummer?

Stillleben mit Hummer is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Stillleben mit Hummer

Peter Jacob Horemans , 1766

Stillleben mit Hummer is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Peter Jacob Horemans. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1766, *Stillleben mit Hummer* is a modestly sized oil painting that presents a tabletop arrangement of everyday objects. A lobster occupies the central position, accompanied by shrimp, a small cup, a vase brimming with green foliage and grapes, and a loosely draped cloth. The dark background isolates the items, allowing their textures and colors to emerge with clarity.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a single meal setting, highlighting the lobster as a symbol of luxury and abundance in 18th‑century dining. The surrounding fruit and vegetables balance the marine fare, suggesting a harmonious bounty. The quiet, intimate arrangement invites contemplation of the transient nature of food and the pleasures of the table.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Rococo manner, the work employs a soft yet precise brushwork that renders the sheen of the lobster’s shell and the translucency of the grapes. A chiaroscuro effect is achieved through a deep, almost black backdrop, which accentuates the luminous surfaces and creates a subtle three‑dimensionality without overt dramatization.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced by Flemish artist Peter Jacob Horemans, who trained in Antwerp before serving as a court painter for German aristocracy. After remaining in private collections for over a century, the piece entered the holdings of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Rococo holdings.

Context

Horemans worked across still life, genre scenes, and portraiture, catering to the tastes of elite patrons who favored decorative yet refined artworks. *Stillleben mit Hummer* reflects the period’s fascination with exotic seafood and the display of wealth through detailed, decorative table settings, a common theme among Rococo interiors.

Artist & collection

Artist

Peter Jacob Horemans

Peter Jacob Horemans or Peter Jakob Horemans (25 October 1700 – 3 August 1776) was a Flemish painter of genre scenes, portraits, conversation pieces, still lives and city views.