Artwork
Still Life: Herring, Cherries and Glassware
Still Life: Herring, Cherries and Glassware is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem van Aelst. It is held in the collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
About this work
Overview
Still Life: Herring, Cherries and Glassware is a 1690 oil painting by Dutch Golden Age artist Willem van Aelst, characterized by its meticulously detailed arrangement of everyday objects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a composed still life with a plate of silver herring, a bunch of red cherries, and a clear glass bowl, emphasizing the genre's tradition of highlighting ordinary textures and objects.
Technique & Style
Van Aelst employed chiaroscuro, leveraging strong light-dark contrasts to enhance the piece's visual depth. The work showcases his attention to detail, evident in the reflective glass, shiny fish scales, and textured cloth, all rendered in a predominantly muted brown and gray palette.
History & Provenance
Created in 1690, the painting is now part of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Willem van Aelst (16 May 1627 – buried 22 May 1683) was a Dutch Golden Age artist who specialized in still-life painting with flowers or game.
