Artwork
Still Life with Ostrich Egg Cup and the Whitfield Heirlooms
Still Life with Ostrich Egg Cup and the Whitfield Heirlooms is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with Ostrich Egg Cup and the Whitfield Heirlooms is a 1670 oil painting by Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten, a Dutch artist known for still lifes. The work is now held by the Art Institute of Chicago.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a collection of objects on a dark tabletop, including a tall silver cup, a small mirror, and a coin tied with a red string. The unusual inclusion of the coin and string may allude to themes of wealth or commerce.
Technique & Style
Van Roestraten's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast between light and dark, drawing attention to the reflective surfaces of the objects. The artist's attention to the way light interacts with each surface creates a sense of realism.
History & Provenance
Van Roestraten worked primarily in London after beginning his career in Haarlem, producing works for elite patrons. Still Life with Ostrich Egg Cup and the Whitfield Heirlooms is characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of significant cultural and artistic production in the Netherlands.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten
Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten or Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraeten (21 April 1630 – 10 July 1700) was a Dutch painter of still lifes, in particular floral and vanitas still lifes.
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