Still Life with a Jewell Box and a Medallion

The choice of motifs in these pendant still lifes is relatively non-traditional, for jewels, laces or decorative ribbons do not appear often in the still lifes of that time. The paintings present the equipment of an aristocrat, and accessories of a well-to-do lady. The cases of the two open watches reflect the painter’s self potrait, and the window of his studio. Hung on a red ribbon, the medallion shows a portrayal of a young man - perhaps the lady’s husband, and possibly a person who commissioned the still life. Rather than a reminiscence of the briefness and evanescence of life (vanitas), expressed by the flowers on the table and impressively arranged luxury objects, these still lifes demonstrate the painter’s brilliancy and originality of his choice of motifs.