A still life with shrimp, cherries and citrus fruits - Jan Jan Pauwel Gillemans (1618-1675)

A still life with shrimp, cherries and citrus fruits
Oil on canvas
Signed lower left
Dimensions: 79 x 64 cm




THE ARTWORK
This opulent still life exemplifies the Flemish pronkstilleven tradition, characterized by its sumptuous display of luxurious objects. The composition includes a variety of fruits such as grapes, oranges, and peaches, arranged with precision and harmony on a richly draped table. The inclusion of a Chinese porcelain bowl and intricate silverware suggests the wealth and global trade connections of 17th-century Antwerp.
The dark background contrasts sharply with the luminous objects, a hallmark of Flemish Baroque still life painting, which emphasizes light, texture, and color. The detailed depiction of the translucent grapes, the velvety peaches, and the glossy porcelain demonstrates Gillemans's meticulous technique. These elements are not only a celebration of abundance but also carry symbolic undertones, often hinting at the transience of material wealth and the inevitability of decay, a theme common in vanitas still lifes of the period.


THE ARTIST
Jan Pauwel Gillemans the Elder was a prominent still life painter born in Antwerp in 1618. He specialized in fruit still lifes, flower arrangements, and pronkstillevens (sumptuous still lifes). Gillemans was heavily influenced by the work of Jan Davidszoon de Heem, a leading Dutch still life painter who was active in Antwerp. This influence is evident in Gillemans’s carefully studied compositions, harmonious use of color, and his intricate attention to detail in depicting textures and materials.
Gillemans's works often feature lush garlands of fruits and flowers set against neutral or dark backgrounds, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. His compositions frequently included exotic and luxury items, such as Chinese porcelain, which reflect the global trade networks of the time. These objects were not only a testament to material wealth but also carried a moralizing message about the fleeting nature of earthly possessions.
Though Gillemans’s oeuvre is not extensive, his contributions to the still life genre remain significant. His works were admired for their technical brilliance and the way they captured the spirit of Flemish Baroque painting. The legacy of his art persisted through his influence on subsequent generations of still life painters.