Still Life with Books

Still Life with Books is a oil-on-panel painting by Dutch artist Jan Lievens. The painting is an example of the Dutch vanitas genre and an example of Dutch realism. The painting was privately owned until it was purchased by the Rijksmuseum in 1963. For many years experts thought it was the work of Rembrandt. The still life includes ledgers (books), a pewter jug, and pewter plate. There is also a bread roll, a Berkemeyer glass, two globes, a palette, and a lute case. Used and worn items appear in the back of the image and are contrasted with the fresh bread and other new items in the foreground. History Still Life with Books was privately owned until the 20th century. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam purchased the painting and it has been in their collection since 1963. Dutch artist Jan Lievens completed the painting 1627–1628. Several of Lievens' early works (including Still Life with Books) were thought to be the work of the great Dutch master painter Rembrandt. Lievens and Rembrandt shared a studio, which may be how the painting was attributed to Rembrandt. Most experts now attribute the work to Lievens. X-radiographs have revealed that the pitcher which appears in the painting was painted over an incomplete book. Objects which appear to the left were added later. Provenance The painting was privately owned in England. It then appeared at an art dealer, Basil Wheeler. Next it was sold to P. Potter by Montpellier Galleries in London. On 28 April 1960 art dealer Han Jüngeling from The Hague acquired the painting. From 1960 to 1963 it was loaned to the Dordrechts Museum. In 1963 The Rijksmuseum purchased the painting. It was displayed at the Milwaukee Art Museum from 6 February 2009 to 26 April 2009 for an exhibition titled "Out of Rembrandt's Shadow".