Willem Kalf (1619 – 1693) - Still Life With A Golden Rock Crystal Cup

This sumptuous still life belongs to the tradition of “pronkstilleven”, the luxurious still lifes that brought Willem Kalf fame during the Dutch Golden Age. The composition presents a refined assemblage: a gilt-mounted rock crystal vessel, a finely chased silver ewer, a pewter jug, a glass of red wine, a hanging watch, an Oriental carpet, and delicate peonies. Each object is rendered with extraordinary precision, arranged in a theatrical composition bathed in rich, golden chiaroscuro.

Beyond its technical virtuosity, the painting offers a deeply meditative reflection on time, materiality, and the vanity of earthly possessions. The contrast between precious objects and ephemeral flowers, together with the discreet presence of the suspended watch — seemingly frozen in time — contributes to a silent contemplation of the fragility of the visible world.

Long held in the prestigious Bürgenstock collection in Lucerne, the work has been attributed to Willem Kalf. In every respect, it demonstrates a masterful command of the genre’s codes and a remarkable fidelity to the artist’s late style — both in the selection of objects and in the subtle treatment of light and surface.