Still Life: fruit, bread and a goblet on a table

Floris Gerritsz. van Schooten 1585 - 1655

Summary

This is a typical example of a simple breakfast-piece or ontbytje, which was a popular subject in Dutch painting in the first half of the 17th century. The pewter plate projecting into the picture space over the edge of the table gives the illusion that the table is real. The type of wine glass that appears here, which is characteristic of Dutch still life, is called a roemer. Bread and fruit were standard components of the Dutch diet. The plums, pears, strawberries and cherries would have been locally grown, while the grain for the bread would have been imported from the Baltic. The wine is likely to have been a relatively expensive import, probably from France. Van Schooten records the objects with careful detail. The pears, although still on their branch, are in a state of decay, as are the plums with their over-ripe, split skins - all a visual reference to the brevity of life. The objects may also have religious significance: bread and wine often represent the body and blood of Christ, strawberries stand for purity and are often seen with the Virgin Mary, while pears symbolise Christ's love for mankind. Floris van Schooten was a prolific artist, who specialised in still life. By far the greatest number of his works are breakfast-pieces. Records show that he married in Haarlem in 1612 and led the painters' guild there in 1639 and 1640. Although Schooten signed his works, few are dated.

Display Label

Still Life: Fruit, Bread and a Goblet on a Table early 1630s Floris van Schooten 1580/88-1656 Oil on panel Bread and fruit were standard components of the Dutch diet. The plums, pears, strawberries and cherries were locally grown, while the grain for the bread was imported from the Baltic. The wine was more expensive and most likely came from France. Van Schooten records the objects with careful detail. The pears, although still on their branch, are in a state of decay, as are the plums with their over-ripe, split skins – all a visual reference to the brevity of life. The objects may also have religious significance: bread and wine often represent the body and blood of Christ, strawberries stand for purity and are often seen with the Virgin Mary, while pears symbolise Christ’s love for mankind. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.499