Jan Davidsz de Heem

Still Life with Books and a Violin

613 detail signatuur en datering
613 achterzijde
613 ingelijst
613 voorzijde
613 voorzijde

Jan Davidsz de Heem
Still Life with Books and a Violin

1628 Not on view

De Heem is known mainly for the colourful, flamboyant flower still-lifes he painted from 1650. But before that, he painted simple still-lifes in shades of brown and grey.

Educated viewers would have recognised the titles of the books on the table and understood that their central theme was the concept of fate. This added a deeper level to De Heem’s still-life. It warns against the mortality of mankind: dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return – however widely read you may be.

Technical details
613 voorzijde

Jan Davidsz de Heem
Still Life with Books and a Violin

1628 Not on view

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Details

General information
Jan Davidsz de Heem (Utrecht 1606 - 1683/1684 Antwerp)
Still Life with Books and a Violin
1628
painting
613
Material and technical details
oil
panel
36.1 x 48.5 cm
Inscriptions
lower left, on a booklet: Johannes. de. / Heem. / .i628.
on the books, centre and left: G.A. BRDEROOS / Treur-spel van RODD'RICK ende ALPHONSVS / [. . .] / T'AMSTEL[DAM]; .NOTA BENE. [. . . ] .I. WE[. . . ] en .I. WESTERBAENS. / KVSIENS. CLAECHTEN. I. / [. . . ] / II. [W.?] L. [. . .] Arns

Provenance

Dowager J.K.H. de Jonge-de Kock, The Hague, before 1881; her heir, Jonkheer A.H.W. de Jonge (on loan to the Mauritshuis, 1897-1910); purchased by the Rembrandt Association, 1910; transferred, 1912