A comprehensive monograph containing the complete catalogue of Jan Davidsz. de Heem’s oeuvre has been published in conjunction with the recently opened exhibition on the artist at the Snijders&Rockox House in Antwerp.
Written by Fred G. Meijer, the publication consists of two volumes, the first of which includes an introduction, a biography and description of the development of his work. The second contains the catalogue raisonné of all paintings now known by de Heem, as well as several appendices.
Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606-1684) was one of the best still-life painters of the seventeenth century. Throughout his painting career of nearly sixty-years, De Heem continued to search for new and better ways to depict his subjects. He trained several pupils and had countless followers and imitators, in the Netherlands as well as abroad, and throughout the centuries. The fact that he was active in both the Northern and Southern Netherlands enhanced his success and fame. He worked successively in Leiden, (presumably) in Amsterdam, in Antwerp, in Utrecht and again in Antwerp.
De Heem is perhaps best known for his exuberant floral still lifes, which, however, were mainly created after 1660. By then, already for decades, he had painted still lifes of many themes and motifs, and in a variety of sizes, modest as well as luxurious. In Antwerp he had developed the large, rich still lifes which earned him part of his renown.
Jan Davidsz. de Heem
Fred G. Meijer
760 pages in two volumes
Zwolle (Waanders) 2024
ISBN 9789462625563