Willem Claesz. Heda (1594-c. 1680)Not much is known about the painter Willem Heda. He lived all his life in Haarlem and joined the St Luke's Guild in 1631, holding a series of positions. Early in his career Heda painted a number of figure studies, but later concentrated exclusively on still lifes. Heda was considered a master in rendering reflections, the light that catches on smooth and shiny surfaces. The magnificent still life in the Rijksmuseum is a splendid example of this play of light as well as the artist's subtle use of colour and the delicate finish to his paintings. |
