Still-Life with Oysters

The affluent citizens of Haarlem were particularly open to the refined taste displayed in breakfast still-lifes by artists like Pieter Claesz. and Willem Claesz Heda. In this painting, a half-full rummer, an overturned tazza or wine-cup, an inverted Berkemeier glass, a silver plate and a knife, together with bread, hazelnuts, a lemon cut and peeled, oysters and a little paper cone of pepper, are all artfully organised to produce a fictive effect of serendipity.