Still Life with Fruits around a Kraak Bowl

Jan Pauwel Gillemans was the son of a goldsmith and was destined to succeed his father. However, his interest in painting gained the upper hand and he became a member of the Anywerp St Lukas guild in 1647/48 (although later, for financial reasons, he also continued to pursue the trade of goldsmith).
Our still life is a beautiful and important work in Gilleman's oeuvre: a Pronkstilleven ("showy still life", with rich objects such as a silver tazza, a rummer, a crystal glass, a silver dish and a ‘Kraak’ bowl) is presented in a niche which creates even more depth. The objects and the stone ledge are topped with colourful citrus fruits, stone fruits, grapes, cherries, shrimps, plums and berries. These contrast strongly with the background, creating an extra colourful and light-filled effect.
The subtlety and attention to detail (note the heron on the porcelain bowl) show us a work by the painter at the height of his career. Gillemans must have exchanged influences with other painters such as Joris van Son (whose son he had as an apprentice) and Jan Davidsz De Heem.

Signed below left
Oil on Canvas,