Jacob van Walscapelle

Little is known about the still-life painter Jacob van Walscapelle. He was born in 1644 in Dordrecht, where he was baptized under the surname of his father, Elias Cruydenier. For unknown reasons, however, Jacob, along with his sister Antonia, later changed their name to Van Walscapelle after their paternal grandmother.[1] In 1660 Antonia moved to Amsterdam to marry Ottmar Elliger (1633–1679), a painter of flower still lifes and portraits. Jacob probably followed his sister not long thereafter, becoming a pupil of the still-life painter Cornelis Kick (1635–1681).[2]

Van Walscapelle’s abundant still lifes, however, reflect the influence of Jan Davidsz de Heem (Dutch, 1606 - 1684) more than that of his Amsterdam master. His flower and fruit pieces, as well as several breakfast and vanitas scenes, display the same monumentality and vibrant color evident in De Heem’s works. Van Walscapelle’s still lifes fetched high prices on the market, but relatively early in his career the artist decided to pursue public affairs in addition to painting. Beginning in 1673, he held various public offices in Amsterdam, and in 1682 received a municipal appointment in the Saaihal.[3] His last known painting, a vanitas still life, is dated 1685. He died in Amsterdam on August 16, 1727.

[1] Jan Knoef, “Jacob van Walscapelle,” Oud-Holland 56 (1939): 262.

[2] Arnold Houbraken, De Groote Schouburgh der Nederlantsche Konstschilders en Schilderessen. 3 vols. (The Hague, 1753; reprint: Amsterdam, 1976), 2:334.

[3] Jan Knoef, “Jacob van Walscapelle,” Oud-Holland 56 (1939): 262.

Arthur K. Wheelock Jr.,  Lara Yeager-Crasselt

April 24, 2014