TableAndries Benedetti · 1650

Identification of the Still Life Painting

The oil on canvas painting titled Table was executed by the artist Andries Benedetti. This work belongs to the still life genre, a category of painting focused on the arrangement of inanimate objects. The composition features a variety of items including fine metalwork, bread, and various fruits such as grapes, peaches, and citrus. These objects are positioned upon a table covered with white linen and set against a backdrop of heavy red drapery.

The creation of this work occurred between 1636 and 1650. It is currently held within the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. The dimensions of the canvas measure 121 x 147 cm. The artist, Andries Benedetti, was active during the mid-17th century, and this specific piece is part of the Flemish Baroque tradition.

Composition and Visual Elements

The arrangement is set upon a table covered with a crisp white linen cloth. A heavy red curtain cascades from the upper right corner, partially obscuring a glimpse of a classical column in the background. This drapery creates a sense of enclosure around the central objects. The composition is dense, featuring a variety of textures including the porous crust of bread and the smooth surfaces of metalwork. A silver ewer and a golden goblet are positioned among the items, catching the light against the darker backdrop.

Fruit is distributed throughout the scene, including grapes, peaches, and citrus. A large, ornate gilded bowl overflows with fruit, adding height to the grouping. Beside these elements, a candlestick holds a partially burnt candle. The lighting originates from the left, casting deep shadows and creating bright highlights on the reflective silver and gold surfaces. The placement of the objects follows a structured arrangement of vertical vessels and organic, rounded forms.