This still life is a superb example of the genre that achieved independence—and also gained enormous popularity—in the seventeenth century. The canvas here is, in itself, a compendium of Kalf’s work, bringing together the most outstanding elements of his style. The sumptuous objects depicted—the Chinese Ming bowl, the wine glass with its filigree glass cover and the Persian carpet—appeared in many of his paintings. Further, light is characteristically used to enhance the play of glints and reflections cast by the objects. This canvas, one of the few that Kalf signed and dated, provides a valuable reference for the construction of a chronology of his paintings.

 

17th Century17th Century - Dutch paintingPaintingOilcanvas
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