Wild Strawberries and a Carnation in a Wan-Li Bowl

The still life Wild Strawberries and a Carnation in a Wan-Li Bowl is dated to 1620 and was painted by Jacob van Hulsdonck in oil on copper. Its early commission and place of creation remain undocumented; the first verifiable owner appears in the 20th century, when the painting was handled by London dealer Leonard Koetser by 1963. It passed through Koetser again by 1967, then via Christie's London in 1966 to a private collector, Newhouse Galleries in New York, and by 1974 entered the collection of Robert H. Smith.

After Smith sold it in 1978 to Essoldo Fine Arts, the work moved through Essoldo to Galerie Julie Kraus, a German private collection by 1983, Charles Roelofsz in 1994, and Bob P. Haboldt & Co. in 1995. It appeared at Sotheby's London in 2000, 2009, and 2012 before being purchased by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 2012 with donated funds.

The 1620 still life by Jacob van Hulsdonck entered the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 2012 after passing through a documented chain of private owners, including Leonard Koetser, Robert H. Smith, and Essoldo Fine Arts. Its appearances in notable sales, including the 1963 Koetser autumn show and a 1995 New York display, drew sustained academic interest, reinforcing the artist's reputation as a master of composition and detail. The work's careful provenance record and recent museum acquisition have contributed to broader reassessments of Dutch and Flemish still life in museum narratives.

Jacob van Hulsdonck, a Flemish artist active in early 17th-century Antwerp, was instrumental in the evolution of still life painting. His work, Wild Strawberries and a Carnation in a Wan-Li Bowl, created around 1620, exemplifies the genre's meticulous attention to detail. This oil on copper piece presents a carefully arranged composition of fruit and flora, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering textures and light.

The painting features a vibrant cluster of wild strawberries alongside a single carnation, meticulously placed within a distinctive Kraak porcelain bowl. This type of Chinese export ware, known for its blue-and-white patterns, was highly prized in Europe during the period. The inclusion of such exotic and luxurious items, alongside perishable natural elements, reflects the era's fascination with both the transient beauty of nature and global trade.

Produced during the Dutch Golden Age, Hulsdonck's still life aligns with a broader artistic trend emphasizing precise, realistic depictions of both common household items and valuable imported goods. The choice of a Wan-Li (Kraak) bowl, popular for its aesthetic appeal and foreign origins, highlights the era's appreciation for material culture and the expanding world of commerce. The copper support further allowed for an exceptionally smooth surface, enhancing the illusionistic detail.