Maerten Boelema de Stomme
1611 - c. 1664
A Still Life with Pewter Dishes, a Roemer, an Overturned Jug, a Meat Pie on a Plate on a Draped Table-Top with a Peeled Lemon and a Glass of Wine.
Essay:
Maerten Boelema, called 'de Stomme' on account of his being deaf-mute, was born in 1611, the son of Martinus. He received his artistic training in the studio of Willem Claesz Heda together with Heda's son Gerrit in 1642. It is not thought that he left Haarlem during his lifetime.
His oeuvre consists of elegant breakfast still-lives containing silver and pewter vessels, porcelain cups and dishes and precious glasses, usually set on a crumpled cloth and with a light background. He also painted bouquet compositions and it is evident that he was much influenced by his master's style. Some of his pictures are signed but few are dated.
Cornelis Kruys was his contemporary and was himself influenced by de Stomme.
Provenance:
Private Collection, Switzerland, for approximately 30 years;
By descent to the previous owners