Sumptuous still lifes
By Jan Davidsz de Heem, 1650
Look closely at this lavish spread and you can almost smell the sea and citrus. Jan Davidsz de Heem painted this scene around 1650, during the golden age of Dutch still life. A bright red lobster takes center stage on a fine porcelain dish, surrounded by lemons with their peels curling loose, ripe grapes, a split pomegranate, and a tall gilded cup that catches the light. Roses bloom near a glass goblet, and a dark velvet cloth drapes over the table edge. Behind it all, a grand stone column and a glimpse of distant landscape add a sense of drama and openness.
De Heem was one of the most admired still life painters of his time, known for combining the careful detail of Dutch art with the richer, more theatrical style he picked up while working in Antwerp. These so-called "pronk" still lifes, from the Dutch word for show or display, were meant to dazzle. They celebrated wealth and the pleasures of fine living, but they also carried a quiet reminder. The peeled lemon, the half-eaten fruit, and the wilting petals hint that all this abundance is temporary. Beauty and luxury, the painting gently suggests, do not last forever, so enjoy them while you can.