William Kalf (1619-1693) was a great Dutch master who was known for his range of still life paintings ‘Pronkstilleven’, which translates to ‘Ostentatious still life’. This still lifes displayed an array of luxurious possessions that could only reflect the lifestyle of a wealthy human in Holland during the seventeenth century. Venetian glass, Chinese porcelain and Turkish carpets decorated with ornamental gold and silverware were painted as a symbol of status, to be hung in the homes of the wealthy patrons who appointed them. However the choice of such objects are not always for exhibition alone as they sometimes carried a symbolic significance. The inclusion of citrus fruits alongside wine is often read as an encouraging moderation in the use of alcohol, as lemon juice was added to wine to reduce its potency and for medical effect. …show more content…
All his works in this period were extraordinarily similar in style. They all portray a collection of rare and/or expensive objects, usually combined with exotic foods and arranged on a table top against a very dark background. Kalf was an art dealer as well as an artist; due to this he had access to many of the objects he painted however so did many others. Therefore some of the objects he has painted have also been used in other works.
Kalf’s painting ‘still life with a Chinese porcelain jar’ is not just a painting of luxurious objects, it is a luxurious objet itself, even more desirable then the items it portrays. Kalf painted the piece to display his skills as an artist and to demonstrate a level of craftsmanship that surpasses the quality of his subject