JACOB VAN WALSCAPELLE

Jacob van Walscapelle (Dutch, 1644–1727), Still Life with Fruit, mid 17th-early 18th century

Dutch still lifes often focus on the theme of the brevity of life. The inclusion of insects next to the luscious peaches, melon, grapes, and berries in this painting is meant suggest the fruit’s eventual decay. In addition, the grapes and the stalk of wheat—materials of wine and bread—may represent the Eucharist as the blood and body of Christ, in which case the painting would have led the viewer to contemplate Christ's sacrifice and eventual rebirth.