Art is a conversation across centuries.
Few genres capture this dialogue more vividly than still life. Rooted in the Golden Age of Dutch painting, still life has always been a stage for symbolism, storytelling, and technical brilliance. Today, this tradition finds new life in the hands of contemporary artists at Hancock Gallery, who reinterpret its timeless themes with fresh eyes.
The symbolism of citrus: from Pieter Claesz to Kit Lintin
In 1621, Pieter Claesz introduced the lemon peel into his still life works, a choice that was both deliberate and layered with meaning. The citrus fruit, with its alluring vibrance and sharp tang, was a symbol of luxury and transience. Lemons, exotic and expensive in the 17th century, reflected the wealth and global trade of the Dutch Republic. But, their fleeting freshness and the delicate curl of a discarded peel served as a memento mori—a reminder of life’s impermanence. Claesz’s lemon sparked a tradition of depicting lemons in still life art that has endured for centuries.
. 
Kit Lintin, a contemporary artist at Hancock Gallery, draws from this historical narrative in her own work. Her use of lemons echoes Claesz's symbolic language while reinterpreting it for the modern eye. Lintin’s vibrant compositions embrace the lemon’s duality, celebrating its aesthetic allure while inviting viewers to reflect on its ephemeral nature. By placing this age-old motif in a contemporary context, she bridges past and present, exploring how objects can hold layers of meaning across time.
Floral mastery: Rachel Ruysch and Magnus Gjoen
Back in the Dutch Golden Age, masters like the pioneering Rachel Ruysch elevated floral still life painting to an art form of unmatched complexity. Her works teem with life, but the delicate flowers in various stages of bloom and decay also reveal the inexorable passage of time.
Magnus Gjoen’s work at Hancock Gallery picks up some of Ruysch’s themes, taking them in a bold new direction. Through digital manipulation and modern techniques, Gjoen transforms floral motifs into meditations on strength and vulnerability. This invites viewers to consider the fleeting and fragile nature of existence in a contemporary world.
Mystery and interpretation: Dutch symbolism and Daniel Remer’s metaphysical aesthetic
Dutch still life paintings were always more than decorative. Every object—a watch, a skull, a half-eaten loaf of bread—was imbued with meaning. These works encouraged viewers to look deeper, to unravel the layered symbolism behind the everyday items.
Daniel Remer’s modern approach advances this tradition with a fresh perspective that reimagines the possibilities of still life. His metaphysical works evoke the aesthetic of Dutch still life but resist explicit symbolism. Instead, Remer invites viewers to craft their own interpretations. In his compositions, ambiguity takes hold, inviting reflection over instruction. This subtle shift transforms the viewing experience into an intimate dialogue between the art and the audience.
The timeless appeal of still life
From the meticulously detailed works of the Dutch masters to the bold reinterpretations by contemporary artists, still life continues to captivate us. It is a genre that invites us to pause, to notice the overlooked, and to find meaning in the everyday. At Hancock Gallery, the enduring themes of luxury, fragility, and mystery are reimagined through a modern lens, reminding us that art’s greatest strength lies in its ability to transcend time.
In this fusion of past and present, the still life remains alive. It challenges, celebrates, and asks us to see—not just the art, but ourselves—with fresh eyes.
Share on your Socials:
