The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has recently added two remarkable Dutch still lifes to its collection, including a piece the museum has coveted for over twenty years, as highlighted in a recent press release.
One of the newly acquired artworks is Glass Vase with Flowers and Fruit (circa 1673-74) by Jan Davidsz. de Heem. This painting is part of a series of nine that showcase the artist's exceptional talent in illusionism and meticulous botanical and entomological details. Previously unrecorded, this masterpiece resurfaced from a private German collection in 2022. The artwork features a vibrant arrangement of flame tulips, plums, berries, roses, morning glory, milk thistle, and honeysuckle, all of which were highly regarded in the Netherlands.
In addition to the floral elements, the painting includes intricate depictions of insects, illustrating their role in nature. According to the Getty's announcement, butterflies and caterpillars symbolize transformation and the soul's liberation from material desires, while ants represent hard work and frugality.
Currently on display at the Getty Center's West Pavilion, De Heem's painting will soon be joined by another significant acquisition: Still Life with Assorted Fruit (1597/98-1660) by Pieter Claesz. This still life showcases an array of grapes, strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, and apples, exemplifying a style known in Dutch as "fruitagje." The museum notes that such still lifes often represented notions of abundance and prosperity, especially during challenging historical periods.
This particular piece was part of a private English collection until the mid-20th century before finding its way to the Lester L. Weindling collection in New York. The Getty Museum successfully acquired it at a Sotheby's auction last month for $1.64 million, surpassing its estimated value of $800,000 to $1.2 million.
The addition of these two Dutch still lifes not only enriches the Getty's collection but also enhances the narrative of art history, showcasing the enduring appeal and significance of still life paintings in conveying themes of beauty, abundance, and the passage of time.