Adriaen Coorte specialised in minimalist still lifes, often showing single objects such as fruit, vegetables, and shells on a stone ledge.
He generally confined himself to small formats and his compositions stand in stark contrast to the opulent works of better-known contemporaries, such as Rachel Ruysch or Jan van Huysum.
Coorte was active in and around Middelburg, and there is some evidence suggesting that he spent time in Amsterdam and trained in Melchior d’Hondecoeter’s studio.
During his lifetime Coorte was probably mostly known locally. His name fell into oblivion and his paintings were only rediscovered in the early 20th century.
