Detail View: The AMICA Library: Still Life with a Silver Wine Jug
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AMICA ID:
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CMA_.1960.80
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AMICA Library Year:
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2000
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Object Type:
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Paintings
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Creator Name:
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Beyeren, Abraham van
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Creator Nationality:
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European; Dutch
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Creator Role:
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artist
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Creator Dates/Places:
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1620 - 1690
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Gender:
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M
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Creator Name-CRT:
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Abraham van Beyeren
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Title:
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Still Life with a Silver Wine Jug
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Title Type:
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Primary
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View:
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Full View
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Creation Date:
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early 1660s
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Creation Start Date:
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1660
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Creation End Date:
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1665
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Materials and Techniques:
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oil on canvas
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Dimensions:
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Unframed: 99.7cm x 82.6cm
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AMICA Contributor:
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The Cleveland Museum of Art
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Owner Location:
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Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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ID Number:
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1960.80
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Credit Line:
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Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
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Inscriptions:
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Signed lower left: "AVB g. [monogram]"
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Rights:
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Provenance:
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(Berlin sale 1921); (Terry-Engell Gallery, London)
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Context:
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Van Beyeren's paintings are closely related in theme to the opulent still lifes that became popular in the Netherlands after 1650. They stand apart, however, because of the artist's unusually loose and energetic brushwork. Some of the forms in the painting?the silver wine jug for example?are fully convincing at a distance, but not at close range. In the gold fringe of the blue velvet tablecloth, however, van Beyeren paid careful attention to the smallest detail. The silver jug reflects the painter himself, seen wearing a hat and working at his easel. Reflected in front of him is half a peach on a silver plate. The artist's presence reminds viewers that this is, after all, not a laid table, but a painting of a laid table and draws attention to his skill in creating a convincing illusion of luscious food and drink on display.The silver and gilt objects in this painting are expensive items that even the very wealthy would have regarded as extraordinary and desirable. The opulent arrangement of food, including a ham and several kinds of fruit, suggests a well-stocked pantry. This manner of display was customary in royal and aristocratic residences throughout Europe, and by the middle of the 17th century had become expected of the wealthy merchant class as well.
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Related Image Identifier Link:
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CMA_.1960.80.tif
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