Still Life with Artichoke, Fruit in Kraak Porcelain Ware, a Salt Cellar/Pepper Castor c. 1605 - 1615

Osias Beert’s *Still Life with Artichoke, Fruit in Kraak Porcelain Ware, a Salt Cellar/Pepper Castor* (c. 1605 - 1615) exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with depicting everyday objects. The composition includes a variety of fruits, a loaf of bread, an artichoke, and several pieces of elaborate silver and porcelain tableware, all meticulously rendered with lifelike detail. Beert’s skill in capturing the textures and colors of the objects, as well as their arrangement on the table, suggests a strong emphasis on realism. The painting is a testament to the wealth and refinement of Dutch society in the early 17th century.