Servant by a Larder Table c. 1635 - 1645

"Servant by a Larder Table," an anonymous oil painting created around 1635-1645, exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age's mastery of still life and genre painting. The composition features a young servant girl holding a plate of fruit against a backdrop of a richly laden table overflowing with food and drink, including a prominent lobster, a basket of fruit, and a ceramic jug. The depiction of a humble servant amidst a feast of abundance speaks to the social hierarchy of the era and the prevalence of themes of food and domesticity in Dutch art. The painting’s small size, characteristic of cabinet paintings, suggests it was intended for private viewing and contemplation.