Artwork
Still Life with Dead Swan
Still Life with Dead Swan is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Adriaen van Utrecht. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with Dead Swan is a 17th-century oil painting by Adriaen van Utrecht, a Flemish artist known for elaborate still lifes. Created around 1635, it is now part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a dead swan surrounded by other dead birds, fruit, and a silver cup, set against a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sky. The arrangement reflects van Utrecht's characteristic focus on abundance and diverse objects.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic style, the painting showcases attention to detail in textures and feathers. Muted colors, dominated by browns, grays, and whites, are used alongside chiaroscuro, a technique that creates volume and depth through strong light and dark contrasts.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van Utrecht (Antwerp, 12 January 1599 – 1652) was a Flemish painter known mainly for his sumptuous banquet still lifes, game and fruit still lifes, fruit garlands, market and kitchen scenes and depictions of live poultry in…
