Jason Somerset: May 2007

Still Life With Two Lemons, a Faqon de Venise Glass, Roenne, Knife and Olives on a Table(c1629)
Oil on panel
Pieter Claesz
Metropolitan Museum of Art

On Saturday May 5, 2007 I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had hoped to make this trip much earlier in the MOD, but Mother Nature was not cooperative. I initially was geared to go on Thursday, taking the day off work, but found finding a parking spot at the train station impossible, so it was to be a Saturday trip. I couldn’t have asked for a better day, and after the disaster on Thursday, today’s visit was flawless. I had a great trip and got to enjoy Central Park on a perfect spring day.

As expected the museum was busy, but I was able to find my own space as I viewed the collections. I always get lost in the Egyptian exhibit; I can’t get enough of the little trinkets and sculptures on display. In my near future I am planning a trip to Egypt to see the Cairo Museum, Pyramids, and all the other sights. I am hoping the world will sober up to a point of greater sanity by then, but I am going regardless. Either way while in Egypt, I will have to avoid my tendency to explore the lesser traveled path and stay on the tourist trail.

The museum also has an extensive collection of medieval weapons and armor. The detail and workmanship shown in the various suits of armor is impressive, and the swords, muskets and crossbows were cool.

This piece really got my attention when I saw it. I was amazed at the lifelike details that the artist captured. The glass in particular is very close to a photograph (see below).

I was even more amazed when I found out that it was painted in 1629. That is only a few years after the Mayflower set sail. As I stood there looking at this painting, I almost expected to be able to take a drink from the glass. I can’t say that I have seen a more realistic painting in my life.

According to the information posted next to the painting, “Claesz was the leading representative of the monochrome still life or monochrome breakfast piece in the Netherlands.” I came up with very little on this painting via the Internet, but I did fid out that Claesz painted still life paintings that are displayed in many museums including the Louvre. His other works also exhibit his master of capturing the reality of his subjects. (see below)

Still-life with Wine Glass and Silver Bowl, Pieter Claesz (c ?)
Oil on wood, Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Not only did he capture the detail of the glass, but look at the detail of the candle stick. It is almost unbelievable.

According to the National Gallery of Art (US), “Pieter Claesz, who lived and worked in Haarlem between 1621 and 1660, was one of the most important Dutch still-life painters of the 17th century. Claesz pioneered the development of monochrome table-top still lifes (the so-called monochrome banketjes), quietly restrained works imbued with an extraordinary sense of naturalism. The exhibition will showcase 25 of Claesz's still lifes from all phases of his career. The paintings of mincemeat pies, breads, lemons, olives, nuts, fruits, and wine are visual feasts that delight the eye and whet the appetite. Claesz reveled in capturing the effects of light and the different textures of objects through his varied handling of paint. He also included objects infused with symbolic implications, indicating that the viewer should reflect upon worldly transience and spiritual truths.”

Once again I would like to thank Jerry and all my classmates for the great time I had on my adventures. Visiting NYC was the topper, and the weather was cooperative in making my experience outside the museum as cool as it was inside. I look forward to my future museum visits, (maybe I can work a deal out with Jerry to get some kind of credit, ha ha). I hope everyone walked away with as much as I did, based on your blogs, you did.

Good luck to everyone!

Here are some more paintings that caught my eye: