On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01164
- Author
- Hamen y León, Juan van der (Spanish)
- Title
- Still life with sweets and crystal recipients
- Chronology
- 1622
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 52 cm x 88 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
A narrow board bears a small
selection of objects and victuals
worthy of a snack. Their volumes
and qualities are defined by the
light, making the various elements
stand out on a very dark
background. The perceptible
influence of Sánchez Cotán and the
knowledge of Italian tenebrist
painting made this the most
unanimously admired still life by
Van der Hamen.
The view of these sweets became a
perfect trompe-l'oeil and an
elegant invitation to taste candied
fruit, wafers and mede, a drink of
Moorish origin made with honey,
water and aromatic spices whose
sweetness explains the flies that
hover over its flask. This work may
have been intended to hang over a
door.
It is signed and dated on the lower
left corner.
Location on the map
