Still Life with Basket of Fruit and Game Fowl

Active in Madrid, Juan van der Hamen mastered a form of still-life painting that appeared in early seventeenth-century Spain known as the bodegón (derived from bodega, meaning "tavern" ). The choice of motifs and style of composition on display here are typical of bodegones of around 1620. As in other early works by the artist, the motifs are arranged to almost completely fill up the picture plane. The rigorous composition and splendid decorativeness of this, one of van der Hamen's largest still lifes, underpin its unique, refined appeal. (Source: Gallery label, July 2016)