Petrus Willebeeck

With Harari & Johns, Ltd, London;
From whom acquired by the present owner in 1986.

A. van der Willigen and F.G. Meijer, A dictionary of Dutch and Flemish still-life painters working in oils, 1525–1725, Leiden 2003, p. 219. 

Petrus Willebeeck is first recorded in the ledger of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp in 1632 as a pupil of Edwaert Snayers. Fifteen years later, in 1647, he is recorded as a master in his own right, taking on Pieter Cousynas as his pupil in 1648. Pictures by the artist are scarce, and only few signed examples are recorded. The majority of them reflect the strong impression Jan Davidsz. de Heem made upon his arrival in Antwerp in 1635, embracing the exuberance and richness of the Flemish baroque movement.

By contrast, this panel is simpler, depicting a dimly lit stone ledge laden with a mixture of local goods and expensive and exotic imports, such as a Chinese porcelain bowl in the centre of the composition. Fragile and expensive items like this were brought to the Netherlands by the Dutch East India Company. The foreground of the composition is dominated by a large artichoke, a vegetable that until the 16th century was largely unknown to Northern Europe. From the mid-17th century artichokes became increasingly popular at European courts; their hearts were considered luxury ingredients and it was claimed they had aphrodisiac properties. To the left are two poppy seed pods, possibly a nod to the important role the Netherlands was playing at the time in the extensive opium trade with China.