Artwork
Still life with fish
Still life with fish is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter van Noort. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Pieter van Noort executed Still life with fish in 1650 using oil paint on a canvas support. The artwork measures 66 by 79.5 centimeters. As a work within the still life genre, its formal qualities center on a representational arrangement of fish. The painting is held in the Rijksmuseum, though it was historically owned by Wolter Gockinga.
History & Provenance
Historical records confirm the inception date as 1650, establishing the piece within the mid-17th century Dutch still life tradition.
Created in 1650, this oil painting on canvas was executed by Pieter van Noort. The work, titled Still life with fish, entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum through the ownership of Wolter Gockinga. Historical records confirm the inception date as 1650, establishing the piece within the mid-17th century Dutch still life tradition.
The painting remains housed in the Rijksmuseum, where it is classified as a significant example of the genre.
The painting Still life with fish by Pieter van Noort is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work, created in 1650, is executed in oil on canvas and measures 66 cm in height by 79.5 cm in width. Prior to its current residence, the artwork was owned by Wolter Gockinga. The provided sources do not contain specific accession numbers or a record of the painting's exhibition history.
Overview
Created circa 1650 by Pieter van Noort, this oil painting presents a modest still‑life arrangement centered on a collection of fish. The composition rests on a weathered wooden ledge, set against a dark backdrop that heightens the vivid hues of the marine subjects. The work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s interest in detailed, everyday subjects rendered with careful observation.
Subject & Meaning
The tableau displays several fish, some whole with glistening scales, others sliced to expose their interiors, accompanied by a leaning fishing rod with a tangled line and a dangling hook. The juxtaposition of whole and prepared fish may allude to the cycles of capture and consumption, reflecting a pragmatic view of nature’s bounty common in 17th‑century Dutch genre scenes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter van Noort (1622 – 1672) was a Dutch painter of still lifes, often featuring fish.
