Pieter Claesz - Still Life with Clay Pipes [1636]

Pieter Claesz - Still Life with Clay Pipes [1636], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Pieter Claesz (Berchem, near Haarlam, c.1597 - Haarlam, January 1, 1660) was a Dutch Golden Age stll life painter. He and Willem Claeszoon Helda were the most important exponents of the "ontbijt" or breakfast piece. They painted with subdued, virtually monochromatic palettes, the subtle handling of light and texture being the prime means of expression. Claesz generally chose objects of a more homely kind than Heda, although his later work became more colourful and decorative. Claesz's still lifes often suggest allegorical purpose, with skulls serving as reminders of human mortality. The two men founded a distinguished tradition of still life painting in Haarlem.

[Oil on panel, 49 x 63.5 cm]