Background
He was possibly the son of Pieter Craen.
He was possibly the son of Pieter Craen.
Laurens Craen was active between 1638 and 1664. Laurens Craen life and career is not as well known like his paintings that are well documented, a total of nineteen works are attributed to Craen. His name is mentioned in the archives of Middelburg, testifying that he was active there from 1655 till 1664.
He painted mainly in Middelburg (Zeeland), but was also active in Antwerp and The Hague.
According to the RKD he was a fruit and flower still life painter from The Hague who was mentioned there in a letter to Constantijn Huygens and who later moved to Middelburg. In the painting from circa 1645 the richness of the objects displayed attract the attention while the little window creates a contemplative illusion of distance.
The painting example of pronkstilleven or sumptuous painting Shapes, colours and themes are echoed within the painting giving the composition both balance and dynamics. The elaborately depicted lemon peel is almost touchable, a structure in the structure.
The wine transparent when catching the light, as well as the pomegranate seeds.
The rich interplay of the total colour scheme in delicate shades creates a pleasing colour harmony.
Craen was a member of the Guild of Saint Luke of Middelburg. He became a member of the Middelburg Guild of Saint Luke in 1654 and paid dues until 1663.
