Who painted Still life?

Still life was painted by Pieter Claesz in 1640.

Where can I see Still life?

Still life is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

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

Pieter Claesz , 1640

Still life is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Claesz. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Pieter Claesz’s 1640 oil painting titled Still Life presents a modest banquet scene rendered on canvas. The composition centers on a table draped with a plain white cloth, upon which a goblet, a plate bearing a pastry, and a knife are arranged. A small figurine rests atop the goblet, while the backdrop consists of an unadorned wall, emphasizing the objects themselves.

Subject & Meaning

The work exemplifies the Dutch still‑life tradition of highlighting everyday objects with quiet dignity. By focusing on ordinary items, a drinking vessel, a piece of baked good, a cutting instrument, the painting invites contemplation of material culture and the fleeting nature of consumption, a common moral undercurrent in 17th‑century genre scenes.

Technique & Style

Claesz employs a restrained palette and meticulous brushwork to achieve a convincing sense of texture. Light falls softly across the surfaces, producing subtle highlights on the goblet’s glass and the glossy pastry, while shadows anchor the objects to the cloth. The overall effect is a calm realism that balances detail with compositional simplicity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1640, the painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history reflects the museum’s focus on Dutch Golden Age works, and the piece has been documented in the gallery’s catalogues since the early 20th century.

Context

During the early 1640s, Dutch artists like Claesz were refining the still‑life genre, moving away from overt symbolism toward a more subdued, observational approach. The painting’s plain setting and lack of elaborate allegorical elements illustrate this shift, aligning it with contemporary trends that valued precision and the quiet observation of daily life.