Still Life with Oysters, a Rummer, a Lemon and a Silver Bowl

Willem Claesz. Heda (in 1634)

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Sophie Bagur asked

Hello,
I am struck in this painting by the difference in treatment of the glass (perhaps of beer?) on the right behing the silver bowl. The brushwork is much thicker and the treatment of light is very different(no gleams or glints contrary to all the other objects). Do you know if this is a sign of the work being unfinished or perhaps an effect of passing time? Or can we take this as a genuine choice made by the painter?
Thank you for any help you can provide
Best regards
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen answered

Dear Sophie, thank you for your question and your close observations. Unfortunately this is a question for a curator specialised in this time period, and we are in-between curators at the moment. However, I doubt that this a sign of the painting being unfinished. As the composition and brushwork is so carefully considered, I would assume that this is a choice made by the painter and indicative of a different type of glass. Best regards, Lisa

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The Haarlem based still life specialist Willem Claesz. Heda was meticulous in his treatment of details. He achieved a great level of clarity with his many gleaming reflections

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Specifications

Title	Still Life with Oysters, a Rummer, a Lemon and a Silver Bowl
Material and technique	Oil on panel
Object type	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Location	This object is in storage

Dimensions	Height 43 cm Width 57 cm
Artists	Painter: Willem Claesz. Heda
Accession number	1286 (OK)
Credits	Purchased 1883
Department	Old Masters
Acquisition date	1883
Creation date	in 1634
Internal exhibitions	The Collection Enriched (2011)
Research	Show research Alma
Material	Panel > Worked wood > Wood > Vegetable material > Organic material > Material > Material and technique Oil > Paint > Artist's material > Material > Material and technique
Object	Painting > Painting > Two-dimensional object > Art object
Geographical origin	Northern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe

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All about the artist

Willem Claesz. Heda

Haarlem 1594 - Haarlem 1680

Willem Claesz. Heda lived his whole life in Haarlem and in 1631 became a member of the St Luke guild, where he filled a range of positions. Heda painted so-...

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