Antwerp, 1640s. Jan de Heem composes one of the most sumptuous Baroque celebrations of abundance. On a table, clusters of white and black grapes cascade among peaches, lemons, and other fruits. A masterfully rendered lobster dominates the scene with its flamboyant presence.
A Feast for the Eyes
Jan de Heem displays stunning technical virtuosity. Each grape catches the light. The vine leaves curl with botanical precision. The lobster presents chromatic nuances ranging from burnt orange to vermilion red. To the right sits a chased gold ewer. In the center, on a blue casket, a barely touched glass of wine holds a laurel branch. The lemon peel hanging in a spiral adds a touch of Baroque whimsy to this composition.
Vanity Behind Opulence
This 17th-century Dutch still life is not merely a display of riches. It belongs to the genre of pronkstilleven, these “ostentatious still lifes” that symbolize the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age. Each element carries a moral message. The perishable fruits, the wine that loses its flavor, the dead lobster recall the fragility of existence. This laurel attached to the glass invites temperance and virtue, a spiritual counterpoint to this earthly banquet.
Jan Davidszoon de Heem, Master of Trompe-l’œil
Born in Utrecht, Jan de Heem (1606-1684) settled in Antwerp where he perfected his art. He merged Dutch sobriety with Flemish exuberance. His compositions, highly realistic, influenced an entire generation of still life painters.
A Question for You
💭 Which details give you the impression of being able to touch these materials and sense this scene painted four centuries ago?
About this Work
- Still Life with Fruit and Lobster
- Jan Davidszoon de Heem
- circa 1648-1649
- Oil on canvas
- 95.4 × 120.6 cm
- Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Gemäldegalerie
- https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/864205/stillleben-mit-fr%C3%BCchten-und-hummer
