Artwork

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer, by Simon Luttichuys, paint, 1649
Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer, by Simon Luttichuys, paint, 1649

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Simon Luttichuys. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The specific inclusion of the overturned vessel and the variety of tableware suggests a focus on the material presence and arrangement of everyday items.

The painting depicts a still life arrangement featuring a fallen pewter jug, a roemer, a spoon, a knife, and a piece of Kraak porcelain. These objects are presented on a surface, with the central jug lying on its side. As a work by Simon Luttichuys dated 1649, the composition belongs to the Dutch still life tradition.

The specific inclusion of the overturned vessel and the variety of tableware suggests a focus on the material presence and arrangement of everyday items.

Technique & Style

Painted in oil on canvas, the work measures 57 by 50 centimeters. The surface shows a tightly rendered still life with careful handling of light across pewter, glass, and porcelain, reflecting a restrained Baroque formalism. Visible craquelure and a stable varnish layer indicate good condition, while the composition’s balanced diagonals and textural contrast underscore its refined stylistic execution.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1649 by Simon Luttichuys and is executed in paint on canvas. It is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. The sources document earlier ownership by Wilhelm von Bode, a noted figure in the museum's history, indicating that the work passed through his hands before entering the institution's holdings.

The sources do not provide information on a commissioning party, intermediate owners beyond Bode, or the circumstances of its acquisition by the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

Overview

Simon Luttichuys’s 1649 canvas, titled Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer, presents a modest arrangement of domestic objects rendered with meticulous attention. A tipped pewter jug lies beside a peeled lemon, a glass roemer, a spoon, and a blue‑and‑white Kraak porcelain dish occupy a darkened tabletop, their forms illuminated against a subdued background.

Context

The work belongs to a period when Dutch artists frequently depicted imported Asian ceramics, known as Kraak ware, as symbols of global commerce. Luttichuys’s inclusion of such items aligns with contemporary still‑life conventions that juxtaposed local produce with foreign luxuries to comment on the Netherlands’ mercantile prosperity.

Still life with pewter jug
Still life with pewter jug, Jan Jansz den Uyl

Artist & collection

Portrait of Simon Luttichuys

Artist

Simon Luttichuys

Simon Luttichuys (1610–1661) was an artist, born in Greater London.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Gemäldegalerie Berlin open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer?

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer was painted by Simon Luttichuys in 1649-01-01.

Where can I see Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer?

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer?

Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer?

Museum-quality prints of Still life with fallen pewter jug and roemer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.