Willem van Aelst

Background

Willem van Aelst was born on May 16, 1627 in Delft, Netherlands, to a family of prominent city magistrates.

Education

Willem van Aelst learned to paint from his uncle, the still-life painter Evert van Aelst.

Career

Willem van Aelst lived in France between 1645 and 1649.

In 1649 Van Aelst travelled to Florence, where he served as court painter to Ferdinando II de' Medici, grand duke of Tuscany. Here he was known as Guillielmo d'Olanda. At this time, the grand duke also employed two fellow Dutchmen Matthias Withoos and Otto Marseus van Schrieck, the latter also a still-life painter who probably influenced Van Aelst's style.

Van Aelst also visited Rome, but in 1656 he returned to the Netherlands to settle permanently in Amsterdam. He became one of the most prominent still-life painters of his generation, which allowed him to live on the Prinsengracht. Besides, Van Aelst taught Rachel Ruysch, Isaac Denies, Maria van Oosterwijck, and Ernst Stuven.

In 1672 Van Aelst was one of seven Dutch painters, who was asked to judge the merits of a collection of Italian paintings sold to the great elector of Brandenburg by the Amsterdam art dealer Gerrit Uylenburgh.

He must died in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1683 or shortly thereafter, as his latest dated work is from that year.

Achievements

• Willem van Aelst was one of the most prominent still-life painters of his generation. He was publicly presented with a gold chain and medal by Ferdinando II de' Medici, as a testimony of his approbation and an acknowledgement of his talents.
  
  Among his most notable works were "Hunt Still Life With a Velvet Bag on a Marble Ledge" and "Still Life with Fruit, Lobster and Silver Vessels". Currently, van Aelst's paintings are held in public collections including thirteen paintings in public collections in the United Kingdom.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Still Life with Dead Game

  • Roses and Poppies and a Snail

  • Still Life. Herring, Cherries and Glassware

  • Still Life of Flowers

  • Still Life of a Silver Tazza with a Wine Glass, Crab, Herring, Bread and Onion on Pewter Dishes with Grapes Arranged on a Ledge

  • A Vase of Flowers with a Watch

  • Still Life with Carnations 1682

  • A Vase of Flowers

  • Still Life with Fruit, Lobster and Silver Vessels

  • Still Life with a Dead Jay

  • Still Life of Fruit

  • Group of Flowers

Membership

On 9 November 1643 Van Aelst enrolled as a master of the Guild of Saint Luke at Delft. He was also a member of the Bentvueghels, an association of mainly Dutch and Flemish artists active in Rome.

• Guild of Saint Luke , Netherlands

  1643

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr.: "Van Aelst “knew how to imitate life so naturally, that the work of his brush seemed to be no painting but life itself."

Connections

Willem van Aelst had a wife and three children.

Uncle:

Evert van Aelst

Student:

Rachel Ruysch

Student:

Maria van Oosterwijck

Student:

Ernst Stuven