Jan Davidsz de Heem
Born – Utrecht, Netherlands 1606
Died – Antwerp, Belgium c.1683
Jan Davidsz de Heem was part of a family of talented Dutch still life painters that included his father, David, and his son, Cornelius. He worked in Utrecht and Leyden before moving to Antwerp at a time of religious conflict. Still Life of Dessert features the apparent remains of a sumptuous feast. In typical Baroque fashion, the compostion emerges from dark shadow, in sharp contrast to the brilliant white cloth in the foreground. With plates and salvers poised precariously on the table, the picture has been contrived to give the impression of casual abandon. The luscious fruit and pies are deeply tempting and a testament to de Heem’s skill of rendition. Henri Matisse made copies of this painting and was greatly influenced by it. Fruit, fancy goblets, shining metals dishes, luxurious cloth and a profusion of flowers were frequently featured in de Heem’s still lifes. Less commonly, he included a human figure in his compositions, surrounded by memorabilia in the forms of books and pictures. De Heem is widely regarded as the greatest Dutch still life painter.
Masterpieces:
- Still Life with a Nautilus Cup
- Still Life with a Lobster
Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.
Books About jan davidsz de heem
Jan Davidsz de Heem en zijn kring
Sam Segal
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Miraculous Bouquets: Flower and Fruit Paintings by Jan van Huysum
Anne T. Woollett
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The Louvre: All the Paintings
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