Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst

Curator

• Dr. Arthur K. Wheelock

From the museum website, 22 June 2012

Few artists were more skilled than Willem van Aelst (1627–1683) at depicting luscious fruits, luxurious fabrics, and spoils of the hunt. His renowned still lifes are remarkable for their fine finish, carefully balanced composition, jewel-toned palette, and elegant subject matter. Bringing together 28 of these sumptuous paintings and his only known drawing, this exhibition—the first devoted solely to this artist—celebrates the most technically brilliant Dutch still-life painter of his time. It is also accompanied by the first comprehensive publication on his work.

The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation. It is made possible by The Exhibition Circle of the National Gallery of Art. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.