Curators
Pieter Biesboer*, Christian Klemm* and Arthur Wheelock*.
From the museum website
Pieter Claesz (active 1621-1660), who lived and worked in Haarlem, was one of the most important Dutch still-life painters of the 17th century. This exhibition of about 25 of Claesz’ masterpieces from all phases of his career will be presented at the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, from November 27, 2004, through April 3, 2005; the Kunsthaus Zurich, from April 21 through August 21, 2005; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, from September 18 through December 31, 2005.
In the 1620s Claesz pioneered the development of monochrome tabletop still lifes (the so-called “monochrome banketje”), quietly restrained works imbued with an extraordinary sense of naturalism. These works, whose stylistic characteristics parallel those seen in monochrome landscapes developed in Haarlem at the same time, helped usher in this distinctive approach to painting. Claesz transformed the carefully composed but static images made by his predecessors and gave them a life and vitality that resonates even today.
Catalogue
The fully illustrated catalogue will be written by Martina Brunner, who has just completed a monograph on the artist.
Sponsor
The exhibition is made possible through the generous support of Greg and Candy Fazakerley.
Other venues
Haarlem, Frans Halsmuseum (27 November 2004-3 April 2005)
Zürich, Kunsthaus Zürich (22 April-21 August 2005)