Still life with a silver jug

The type of still lifes that Kalf developed was called “desserts”: such compositions consist of luxurious objects that tell about the wealth of the customer. In this picture, Kalf depicted a silver jug , a glass of wine on a gilt stand, a deep plate of Chinese porcelain with fruits. Both the jug and the cup holder are decorated with a fashionable ornament at that time, reminiscent of the shape of the auricle. These are the masterpieces of silver masters jug] and cup]. The artist was interested in the play of light and color; It uses a combination of blue, yellow and white. Lemon is reflected in a jug, silver glistens next to gilding, shines dimly, sparkles of lemon flicker with drops of juice, wine flickers in the glass in the twilight. Everything is like living, fruits seem to emit a smell and even cause a sensation of their taste.

The artist also introduced pocket watches into the composition: they are on the right. The glass cover is folded back as if someone was just looking at the dial. The clock, a symbol of the passing time, reminds us that carnal joys are not eternal.

The painting was in the collection of Albertus Jonas Brandt (Amsterdam); October 29, 1821 was acquired by the State Museum (Amsterdam) at the sale of the Albertus Jonas Brandt collection in Amsterdam (lot No. 96).

• Marlein Dominikus-Van Sust. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Masterpieces. Guide. - Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam , 2009 .-- 144 p. - ISBN 8-716074-020098.
• Kravchenko I. The Rijksmuseum. - K .: PrAT Komsomolskaya Pravda - Ukraine, 2012. - V. 20. - 96 p. - ("The Great Museums: 30 tons."). - 7000 copies. - ISBN 978-966-2492-81-1 .

• Information on the museum website (English)