Still life with fish, oysters and shrimps by Clara Peeters
This is Clara Peeters's Still life with fish, oysters and shrimps, painted around 1600 and housed at the Rijksmuseum. It's a masterful display of abundance, but also a subtle assertion of the artist's presence.
Look closely at the opulent arrangement of seafood. A large fish dominates, flanked by plump oysters and delicate shrimp. Notice the vibrant red flower, a striking contrast, and the intricately patterned shells.
Clara Peeters was one of the few professional women artists in 17th-century Europe. In her still lifes, she often included a small self-portrait or her signature in reflections or inscriptions, a clever way to assert her authorship in a male-dominated field. Here, a faint inscription hints at her hand.
This painting invites us to not only admire the artistry but also to seek out the artist's hidden mark.
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Transcript
This painter was a woman in a man's world. Look at this lavish spread of seafood. Oysters and shrimp whisper of luxury. The dark background hides one coiled snake. A faint signature claims this work. Peeters often painted herself into her work.