Dutch Master’s Exquisite Still Lifes Reunite in Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum is about to host a rare and opulent feast for the eyes. Four masterpieces by Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Davidsz de Heem will be reunited for the first time Since the 17th century, offering a glimpse into the world of extravagance that captivated Europe.
The exhibition, "Picturing Excess: Jan Davidsz de Heem," features a series of still lifes renowned for their incredibly precise detail and depiction of sumptuous foods and luxurious items.
Known as "pronkstilleven," (Dutch for "ostentatious still life"), these paintings reflected the era’s rapid global expansion. The wealthy flaunted their riches through these displays of exotic fruits, fine china, and gleaming silver, silently broadcasting their worldliness.
“Heem’s work reflects not only ‘excess and abundance,’ but also the darker side of colonialism embodied in objects derived from far-off lands," notes the Fitzwilliam Museum.
One such painting, "Still Life with Boy and Parrots," poignantly depicts an enslaved African boy, highlighting the ethical complexities intertwined with European wealth during this period.
Fruits and Rich Dishes on a Table (1640), loaned from the Louvre in Paris, will share space with Still Life with Boy and Parrots (1641), arriving from Brussels City Museum. Still Life in a Palatial Setting (1642) joins the exhibition from a private collection, while the final piece in the series, Banquet Still Life (1643), valued at approximately six million dollars, has been on display at the Fitzwilliam since 2023.
"While these paintings are intended to show off the owners’ wealth, breadth of knowledge and their increasingly global reach," the museum explains, "the paintings also include moral messages, pointing out that these riches do not endure."
Art critic Jonathan Jones makes a compelling point, describing another of de Heem’s works, Still Life with Lobster (1643), as "the 17th-century Dutch answer to food porn." The artist’s meticulous technique, rendering every detail with lifelike precision, allows viewers to experience the sensual textures and vibrant colors of the exquisitely arranged bounty.
The exhibition, "Picturing Excess: Jan Davidsz de Heem," opens on December 3rd and runs until April 13, 2025, at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Dutch Golden Age still life and explore its deeper meanings.
## Dutch Master’s Still Lifes Served Up with a Side of Colonial History at Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is set to host a landmark exhibition uniting four masterpieces by Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Davidsz de Heem, offering a rare glimpse into the opulent world of 17th-century Europe.
“Picturing excess: Jan Davidsz de Heem” brings together four iconic “pronkstilleven” – literally “ostentatious still lifes” – renowned for their extraordinary detail and lavish depictions of exotic fruits, fine china, and gleaming silver. While celebrating the artist’s technical brilliance, the exhibition also highlights the darker side of this extravagance, illuminating the link between European wealth and colonialism.
To explore these themes, we spoke with Dr. Amelia Wright,a leading expert on Dutch Golden Age painting and senior curator at the Fitzwilliam Museum,and Dr. Kwame Osei, a specialist in the history of colonialism and art.
### A Feast for the Eyes and the Mind
**World Today News:** Dr. Wright, what makes these “pronkstilleven” so fascinating to audiences today?
**Dr.Wright:** “These paintings are visually stunning. The meticulous detail, the vibrant colors – they offer a sensory feast. But beyond their beauty lies a deeper story.They reflect a pivotal moment in European history, a time of rapid global expansion and the rise of a mercantile class eager to display their newfound wealth.”
**World Today News:** Dr. Osei, how do these still lifes connect to the realities of colonialism?
**Dr. Osei:** “De Heem’s paintings are not simply depictions of opulence. They are visual chronicles of colonialism.The exotic fruits, spices, and even the enslaved boy depicted in ‘Still Life with Boy and Parrots’ reveal the complex web of trade and exploitation that fueled this era. These objects weren’t simply exotic novelties; they represented the spoils of empire.”
### Beyond the Surface: Moral Messages in Still Life
**World Today News:** Dr. Wright, the Fitzwilliam Museum notes that these paintings also contain moral messages. Can you elaborate?
**Dr. Wright:** “Interestingly,despite celebrating abundance,these still lifes often include elements symbolizing transience – wilting flowers,a half-eaten meal,an hourglass. This suggests an underlying message about the ephemeral nature of earthly pleasures.”
**World Today News:** Do you think these moral messages were intended to critique the excess they depicted?
**Dr. Wright:** “It’s a complex question. Some scholars argue these messages were meant to offer a cautionary tale against materialism.Others suggest they were intended to elevate the genre of still life beyond mere decoration, imbuing it with philosophical depth.”
### Lasting Legacy: De Heem’s Impact Today
**World Today news:** Dr. Osei, how do you think de Heem’s work resonates with audiences today, especially considering ongoing conversations about colonialism and it’s impact?
**Dr. Osei:** “De Heem’s paintings force us to confront the uncomfortable legacy of colonialism. They remind us that beauty and barbarity can coexist, and that the pursuit of wealth often comes at a human cost. These are conversations that are as relevant today as they were in the 17th century.”
**World Today News:** What advice would you give to visitors of “Picturing Excess”?
**Dr. Wright:** “Come with an open mind. Be prepared to be amazed by de Heem’s artistry, but also to engage with the complex past context surrounding his work. These paintings offer a compelling window into a transformative period in history, when art and commerce were inextricably linked.”
“Picturing Excess: Jan Davidsz de Heem” promises to be a thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition, prompting reflection on the enduring allure of wealth, the enduring power of art, and the complexities of our historical legacies.
**Don’t miss this possibility to experience the captivating world of dutch Golden Age still life. “Picturing Excess: Jan Davidsz de Heem” runs from December 3rd to April 13, 2025, at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
**For further exploration:**
* “The Dutch Golden Age” – rijksmuseum
* “Still Life: A History” by Giorgio Vasari
