Artwork
Still-Life with Glass Goblet and Fruit
Still-Life with Glass Goblet and Fruit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Kalf. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
In 1655, Dutch painter Willem Kalf produced a still‑life that brings together a glass goblet, peaches, an orange and assorted tableware. The composition rests on a richly colored cloth, set against a dark backdrop that intensifies the luminous qualities of the objects. The work is part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The arrangement showcases everyday luxury: a transparent goblet filled with liquid, a knife, a plate bearing a peach pit, and fruit at different stages of ripeness. By juxtaposing the fleeting vitality of the fruit with the enduring solidity of the glass and metal, the painting reflects the 17th‑century Dutch fascination with material abundance and the transience of pleasure.
Technique & Style
Kalf employs a meticulous, realistic approach, rendering the reflective surface of the goblet and the textured skins of the fruit with precise brushwork. The contrast between illuminated objects and the surrounding darkness creates a chiaroscuro effect, giving the scene depth and a three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the painting exemplifies the *pronkstilleven* genre, which celebrated opulent still‑life subjects. It has remained in public ownership, currently displayed in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie, where it contributes to the museum’s representation of 17th‑century Dutch art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Willem Kalf (1619 – 31 July 1693) was one of the most prominent Dutch still-life painters of the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age.
