A female artist in the 17th Century...

3:58 p.m.

12/15/16 - Clara Peeters was one of the few women artists in a time when they could hardly have a profesional career. As there's little information about here, the curators of the exhibition "The art of Clara Peeters", at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, let the artworks speak for themselves to "build" her story.

It is believed she was born in Amberes, although it's not proved and neither is the date, which might have been between 1588 and 1590. As for her death, it might have been after 1621. It is clear though that she painted between 1607 and 1621. Amberes has been set as her birth town because in six of her works she painted a silver knife that has her name and that of the city. Around that time it was usual for dinner guests to bring their own knives, which were common wedding gifts. The knives on Peeters' paintings might be a souvenir of her own marriage, which is not documented.

Almost all of Peeters' works are still lives. This is probably because of the limitations female artists had back then. She specialized in scenes with fishes, which would later become very popular. And her "ready to eat" lunches usually included refined china and cutlery, which would demonstrate that she belonged to a wealthy family.

In her still lives she not only included her signature but her self portrait can be seen in the reflection of the shinier objects.

Table with salt, cup, cake, jar, olives and roasted chicken, by Clara Peeters (Towards 1611)

Technique: oil on wood / Measures: 55 x 73 cm.

Still Life with flowers, golden cup, nuts, bread, wine and pewter jar, by Clara Peeters (1611)

Technique: oil on wood / Measures: 52 x 73 cm.

It is definitely a very interesting exhibition, with an impeccable reconstruction of Peteers' history by the curatorship. It is unfortunately forbidden to take photos inside.