Who painted Still life?

Still life was painted by Nicolaes van Gelder in 1664.

Where can I see Still life?

Still life is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Still life?

Still life is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Still life?

Museum-quality prints of Still life are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Still life

Nicolaes van Gelder , 1664

Still life is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes van Gelder. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Executed in 1664, this still life by Nicolaes van Gelder is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 110.5 cm in height and 88 cm in width. As a classified painting within the still life genre, the piece utilizes traditional oil paints applied to a woven fabric support, characteristic of Dutch Golden Age production. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

History & Provenance

It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it has been held since at least the time of the museum’s documentation of the painting.

The still life was painted in 1664 by Nicolaes van Gelder, as indicated by the artist’s signature and date on the work.

It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it has been held since at least the time of the museum’s documentation of the painting. The canvas measures 110.5 cm in height and 88 cm in width.

The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it carries the inventory number SK-C-1211.

It has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in the long-running gallery display of 17th-century Dutch still lifes, but no additional exhibition history beyond the museum’s permanent holdings is recorded in the available sources.

Overview

Nicolaes van Gelder’s Still life (1664) is an oil painting that exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with domestic abundance. Executed on canvas, the work presents a modest banquet scene arranged on a patterned tablecloth, inviting viewers to observe everyday luxury through a carefully composed tableau.

Subject & Meaning

The composition gathers a selection of ripe fruit, peaches, plums, grapes, and apples, alongside a blue‑and‑white vase, a metal pitcher, a lobster on a plate, and a few pink roses. The assortment reflects the period’s interest in the transience of nature and the wealth of trade, while the subdued lighting suggests an intimate, interior moment.

Context

The painting belongs to a broader Dutch tradition that celebrated material prosperity through detailed renderings of food and tableware. Such works often served both decorative and moral purposes, reminding viewers of the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures amidst the prosperity of the Golden Age.