Still Life with Fruit and Roemer 1644

'Still Life with Fruit and Roemer' was painted by Pieter Claesz, capturing a moment of bourgeois life during the Dutch Golden Age. These still lifes are more than just pretty pictures; they reflect the complex relationship between Dutch society, its economic prosperity, and the world of goods. The Roemer glass, with its association with celebration and luxury, invites us to consider the role of material culture in shaping identity and social status. The presence of bread, grapes and peaches, alongside the wine, might evoke the sensory experiences of the time. Did the painting reflect or inform aspirations and values? Claesz's work invites us to consider what these domestic objects meant to those who lived amongst them. Were they symbols of status, reminders of mortality, or simply beautiful objects to be enjoyed?