 |
| Breakfast-piece 1646 Oil on wood, 60 x 84 cm Pushkin Museum, Moscow |
 |
| Still-life with Turkey-Pie (detail) 1627 Oil on wood Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam |
 |
| Still-life with Herring 1636 Oil on panel, 36 x 46 cm Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam |
"Pieter Claesz, who lived and worked in Haarlem between 1621 and 1660, was one of the most important Dutch still-life painters of the 17th century. Claesz pioneered the development of monochrome table-top still lifes (the so-called monochrome banketjes), quietly restrained works imbued with an extraordinary sense of naturalism. The exhibition will showcase 25 of Claesz's still lifes from all phases of his career. The paintings of mincemeat pies, breads, lemons, olives, nuts, fruits, and wine are visual feasts that delight the eye and whet the appetite. Claesz reveled in capturing the effects of light and the different textures of objects through his varied handling of paint. He also included objects infused with symbolic implications, indicating that the viewer should reflect upon worldly transience and spiritual truths."
Bio from National Gallery of Art - http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/claeszinfo.shtm - His work was showcased at the National Gallery of Art back in 2005.
I never thought about classical work until it was pointed out to me. The artists for inspiration were supposed to be current artists but these paintings can definately be related. Claesz had done all still lifes of table settings. Although he has symbolic meanings with the food and dishes chosen, I am more interested in the layout and technique. I find it very interesting the subdued lighting and texture of the paintings. It is almost comparable to the unique lighting provided by my camera phone. It has a blurred almost glowing affect on some images.
More of his work can be viewed at http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/c/claesz/
No comments:
Post a Comment