National Gallery of Art

This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

Overview: 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.

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation.

Sponsor: The exhibition 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.

Attendance: 76,147

Catalog: Elegance and Refinement: The Still-Life Paintings of Willem van Aelst, by Tanya Paul, et al. New York: Skira Rizzoli in association with The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2012.

Other Venues: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, March 11–May 28, 2012

Image: Willem van Aelst, Still Life with Dead Game, 1661, oil on canvas, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 1982.36.1