Artwork
Still Life with Fish
Still Life with Fish is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a tabletop arrangement in which a basket holds an assortment of fish—cod, flatfish and a slice of salmon—accompanied by mussels, a knife, a wooden bucket and a brown earthenware jug. The composition presents these objects as they might appear in a modest Dutch market setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a moment of everyday commerce, focusing on the tangible details of foodstuffs and utilitarian vessels. By presenting ordinary market items without embellishment, the work reflects the Dutch tradition of still life that emphasizes the material reality of daily life.
Technique & Style
The artist renders the wet sheen of fish scales, the coarse texture of the wicker basket, and the matte surface of the clay jug with careful attention to surface qualities. The handling of light and shadow highlights the contrast between glossy and rough materials, demonstrating a refined command of texture and observation.
History & Provenance
Created in the Dutch Golden Age, the painting belongs to a body of work that documented market scenes for both aesthetic and didactic purposes. It is currently part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is displayed alongside other 17th‑century still lifes that share similar themes and techniques.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
