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Still Life with Oysters, a Silver Tazza, and Glassware

1635
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 617
A table laid with oysters, a lemon, and beer invites the viewer to associate visual and culinary pleasure. But a closer look reveals broken glass and a cone of paper (intended to hold spices) torn from an almanac, both reminders of our swiftly passing days. Heda made a name for himself as an artist by achieving a variety of pictorial effects, such as the illusion of polished silver, glistening oysters, and reflective glass, while working almost exclusively in shades of gray.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Still Life with Oysters, a Silver Tazza, and Glassware
  • Artist: Willem Claesz Heda (Dutch, Haarlem? 1594–1680 Haarlem)
  • Date: 1635
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 19 5/8 x 31 3/4 in. (49.8 x 80.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: From the Collection of Rita and Frits Markus, Bequest of Rita Markus, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.331.4
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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