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Jan Jansz. Treck, 'Still Life with a Pewter Flagon and Two Ming Bowls', 1651

About the work

Overview

Here Jan Jansz. Treck has risen to the challenge of evoking the lustre of and distorted reflections in silver, pewter, glass, porcelain and eggshells as well as the complex shadows in a crumpled linen cloth. It was a highly valued skill in Dutch still-life painting and this rather beautiful example of the genre has a particularly calm aesthetic.

The overall colour scheme is muted, dominated by greys, greens and browns – only the bright red berries stand out. To our eyes, the selection of objects also seems quite mundane: it’s the aftermath of a meal, where the plates, dishes, and a flagon have been temporarily pushed to one side, together with a discarded napkin. But the two blue and white dishes are not normal domestic tableware. They are very expensive late Ming-period Chinese porcelain. These were exotic and highly desirable goods, and this painting is a celebration of luxury.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Still Life with a Pewter Flagon and Two Ming Bowls
Artist dates
1605/6 - 1652
Date made
1651
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
76.5 × 63.8 cm
Inscription summary
Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1931
Inventory number
NG4562
Location
Room 25
Collection
Main Collection
Frame
17th-century Dutch Frame

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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