Artwork
Still Life with a Roemer, a Covered Flagon, and a Beaker
Still Life with a Roemer, a Covered Flagon, and a Beaker is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem Claesz Heda. It is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Heda employed oil paint on a wooden panel to achieve the reflective qualities of glassware and the subtle translucency of liquids.
Heda employed oil paint on a wooden panel to achieve the reflective qualities of glassware and the subtle translucency of liquids. The work’s formal balance rests on the diagonal arrangement of the roemer, covered flagon, and beaker, which creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow across the tabletop. Heda’s brushwork renders textures with meticulous precision, from the crystalline clarity of the roemer to the matte surface of the covered flagon, while the muted palette of ochres and browns enhances the compositional harmony.
The painting’s handling of light emphasizes material realism, distinguishing it within the Dutch still‑life tradition. The artwork is part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collection, acquired through the bequest of John G. Johnson.
History & Provenance
Willem Claesz. Heda created the oil painting on panel titled Still Life with a Roemer, a Covered Flagon, and a Beaker. The work depicts a table arrangement featuring a chalice, rummer, mustard pot, tablecloth, knife, and a Jan Steen pitcher.
Historical records indicate that the collection was previously owned by John G. Johnson before entering the holdings of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The painting is currently located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia.
Overview
Still Life with a Roemer, a Covered Flagon, and a Beaker is a painting by Willem Claesz Heda, a Dutch Golden Age artist from Haarlem. Created in oil paint, it exemplifies the artist's expertise in still life.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a collection of objects on a worn table, including metal and glass vessels, a knife, and a folded cloth. The arrangement is characteristic of Heda's 'late breakfast' genre, which focuses on the precise rendering of everyday objects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Willem Claeszoon Heda (December 14, 1593/1594 – c. 1680/1682) was a Dutch Golden Age painter from the city of Haarlem devoted exclusively to the painting of still life. He is known for his innovation of the late…
