An unattributed still-life painting found in an Oslo museum storeroom in 2022 has turned out to be a lost masterpiece by Clara Peeters, a pioneering 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist, as revealed by art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki.
Osiecki, who was researching Peeters’ work, stumbled upon the painting while looking to acquire a piece by the artist. She expressed surprise at the discovery, highlighting the irony of having a Peeters painting in storage while actively seeking women artists for acquisition.
Despite Peeters’ significant contributions, she remains relatively obscure, a common fate among female artists of her time, according to Osiecki.
The National Museum of Norway aims to shed light on historic female artists through the upcoming exhibition “Woman Painter,” featuring works by 19 female artists from northern Europe and Italy between 1550 and 1650, including Peeters.
Identifying the Painting
The painting, titled Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza, was initially attributed to Ambrosius Brueghel before being reclassified as anonymous and stored away. Osiecki’s meticulous research led to its reattribution to Peeters after several years of analysis.
Peeters was known for incorporating subtle self-portraits in her works, showcasing her identity as a female artist in a male-dominated field. The Oslo painting features dead birds, hazelnuts, and apricots, typical elements of 17th-century still-life art.
Osiecki’s examination of the painting revealed key details, such as the distinctive portrayal of grapes and the presence of a tazza, a common feature in Peeters’ compositions. Despite challenges like woodworm damage obscuring Peeters’ signature, the painting’s true artist was eventually confirmed.
The painting is scheduled to be a highlight of the upcoming exhibition.
Nora Ceciliedatter, from the National Museum of Norway, explained that the “Woman Painter” exhibition aims to showcase underrepresented artistic perspectives historically marginalized by the museum.
Osiecki emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to uncover overlooked female artists, stressing the need for further research to reveal their significant contributions to art history.
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