Share article

Read the full series
arts video

Breakfast Piece by Pieter Claesz.

By CODART
18 October 2023 1 min. reading time Masterpieces From the CODART Canon

To mark the 25th anniversary of CODART, each month we introduce you to one of the hundred exceptional masterpieces of early modern Dutch and Flemish art (1350-1750) selected by museum curators from around the world for the CODART Canon. This time, all eyes are on Breakfast Piece by Pieter Claesz.

A small panel, muted colours, subdued light and a few objects: with economical means, Pieter Claesz. created a whole world that evokes our senses and captivates us with all its opposing facets. We enjoy foaming beer, soft velvet, a glittering herring and a crispy bun.

There is geometric rigour in the beaker’s waffle pattern and the creases of the linen, as well as painterly disorder in the scattering of nutshells and the diagonal of the knife. The fragility of the glass contrasts with the solidity of the tin. We see a luxurious white flour bun and a humble herring.

The close-up view creates intimacy, but the reflection of a window hints at the outside world.

Pieter Claesz.’s work is a symbol of his time, yet it is also timeless: an embodiment of the modern philosophy of mindfulness. Admittedly, many of these aspects apply to still lifes in general. And of course, I admire Claesz.’s pronkstilleven (showcase still life) in Cologne, but the artful balance and minimalist purity place this Rotterdam ontbijtje (breakfast) in a league of its own.

Anja Sevčík, Head of the Department of Baroque Painting, Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Foundation Corboud, Cologne

website CODART Canon

CODART_solo_squared

CODART

CODART is the international network of curators of Dutch and Flemish art
www.codart.nl

Comments

The comments section is closed.

You might also like

		WP_Hook Object
(
    [callbacks] => Array
        (
            [10] => Array
                (
                    [0000000000002e430000000000000000ywgc_custom_cart_product_image] => Array
                        (
                            [function] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => YITH_YWGC_Cart_Checkout_Premium Object
                                        (
                                        )

                                    [1] => ywgc_custom_cart_product_image
                                )

                            [accepted_args] => 2
                        )

                    [spq_custom_data_cart_thumbnail] => Array
                        (
                            [function] => spq_custom_data_cart_thumbnail
                            [accepted_args] => 4
                        )

                )

        )

    [priorities:protected] => Array
        (
            [0] => 10
        )

    [iterations:WP_Hook:private] => Array
        (
        )

    [current_priority:WP_Hook:private] => Array
        (
        )

    [nesting_level:WP_Hook:private] => 0
    [doing_action:WP_Hook:private] => 
)