Willem van Aelst (1627-1683), Willem van Aelst (1627-1683) Attributed - Still Life with Peaches, Grapes and Butterfly

45 × 35 cm, oil on panel

Willem van Aelst was born in Delft and was a pupil of his uncle Evert van Aelst (1602–1657). Willem van Aelst was active in Florence during his trip to Italy in 1649–1652, where Cardinal Giancarlo de Medici (1611–1663) was his patron. After returning from Italy, he worked in Amsterdam. Peaches and grapes are presented on a marble table top covered with a red velvet cloth. Two peaches lie on a silver plate, behind them are bunches of blue, red and green grapes. A butterfly landed on the left peach in the middle of the picture. A vine leaf rises above the fruit like an umbrella. A wine glass can be seen in the background on the right. Two peaches and a butterfly form the illuminated center of the composition. The secondary accent rests on the vine leaf, which shines brightly here. Grapes and wine in a glass glisten in the dark. 45 × 35 cm, oil on panel