HEDA, Willem Claesz.
(b. 1594, Haarlem, d. 1680, Haarlem)

Still-Life

1649
Oil on panel, 59,8 x 79,4 cm
Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent

One important strand in Dutch still-life painting is referred to by art historians as 'monochrome breakfast pieces' (monochrome banketjes). These consist of simple images, rendered with a limited palette, of tables set for a meal. Despite the possible allusion to biblical tables, they chiefly convey a sober interest in everyday reality. Heda's painting is a good example of this genre.

The painting is signed and dated bottom right on tablecloth: HEDA / 1649.