Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606-1683/84): Still Life with Books (1628)
This painting dates from De Heem’s early career. The monochromatic composition (a style in vogue from 1625 onwards) contrasts powerfully with the sumptuous, colourful still lifes that the painter produced later in Antwerp… Professors and students would have understood the allusions to the vanity of knowledge conveyed in this pictorial motif…