An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Still Life with Meat, Fish, Vegetables, and Fruitc. 1615–20
Jacob van Hulsdonck
Flemish painter and draftsman, 1582-1647
Jacob van Hulsdonck depicted a colorful array of foods, and tablewares ranging from an earthenware trencher to delicate Chinese porcelain—an expensive luxury made possible by international trade. For seventeenth-century viewers, the quantity and variety of foods would have represented a utopian world without scarcity or hunger. Partially eaten food and an overturned glass suggest that diners have just departed, leaving insects to explore the remains.
Hulsdonck thoughtfully included condiments here: butter, lemon, parsley for the trotters, and a dab of mustard for the ham.
Oil on panel, the reverse prepared with gesso
71.5 x 104 cm (28 1/8 x 40 15/16 in.)
Gift of Janice Hammond and Edward Hemmelgarn
In the soft glow of a dimly lit room, the canvas comes to life with the burst of colors and shapes that only a master like Jacob van Hulsdonck could conjure. Each stroke of the brush reveals a banquet laid out for the eyes—the vibrant hues of fruits and rich textures of tableware. There, nestled among the feast, sits an earthenware trencher, its humble form grounded in the earthy soil, contrasting with the delicate elegance of Chinese porcelain, a tantalizing whisper of luxury brought from far-off lands through the intricate web of international trade.
Imagine, if you will, a group of seventeenth-century diners, their laughter still echoing in the air as they partake in this lavish spread. For them, the sheer abundance of food would have felt like a glimmering dream—one that promised a world untainted by scarcity or longing, where every mouth was fed. Van Hulsdonck captures this aspiration beautifully, creating a visual feast that speaks directly to the heart, inviting one to revel in the richness of life.
But all is not still in this lavish spread. An overturned glass lies on its side, while bits of food rest half-eaten, hinting at the lively conversation that must have filled the air moments before. Insects flit about, curious explorers drawn to the remnants of a sumptuous meal, weaving their way through the remains like tiny shadows of the feasting that once was.
As we gaze upon the painting, we can almost hear the echoes of laughter and feel the warmth of camaraderie. In this peaceful depiction, Van Hulsdonck invites us not merely to behold a banquet but to linger in the understanding that every feast, however abundant, is fleeting—all while offering us a beautiful reminder of a world bursting with possibility.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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