Fieravino, Francesco (genaamd Il Maltese) – Stilleven met vruchten en vaatwerk op een Smyrna kleed, 1650-1680 Rijksmuseum: part 2

The composition presents a lavish still life arranged on a richly patterned textile. A dark background, almost entirely black, serves to heighten the visual impact of the objects displayed. The artist has chosen to illuminate them with a dramatic chiaroscuro effect, emphasizing their textures and forms through strong contrasts between light and shadow.
A vibrant Smyrna carpet dominates the foreground, its intricate design of reds, blues, and golds immediately drawing the eye. This textile is not merely a backdrop; it functions as an integral element within the arrangement, contributing to the overall sense of opulence and exoticism. Upon this luxurious surface are arranged various objects: fruit in abundance, gleaming silver vessels, and a decorative ceramic container.
The selection of fruits – peaches, grapes, plums, and what appear to be apricots – suggests ripeness and prosperity. Their arrangement is carefully considered; they spill from a porcelain bowl, creating a sense of natural abundance while also hinting at the fleeting nature of beauty and pleasure. The silver objects – a large serving dish, a smaller bowl, and a goblet – reflect the light, adding further brilliance to the scene. The ceramic container, adorned with intricate blue patterns, stands as a focal point, its elaborate design echoing the complexity of the carpet beneath it.
A curious detail is the presence of what appears to be an ear trumpet positioned near the silver dish. Its inclusion introduces an element of ambiguity; does it signify attentive listening, perhaps alluding to the transience of earthly pleasures and the importance of reflection? The ornate metalwork on the right side of the composition, possibly part of a candelabra or decorative screen, adds another layer of visual interest and reinforces the sense of luxury.
The overall effect is one of controlled abundance and subtle melancholy. The meticulous rendering of textures – the plushness of the carpet, the smoothness of the silver, the velvety skin of the fruit – demonstrates considerable technical skill. Beyond a simple display of material wealth, the painting seems to contemplate themes of transience, sensory pleasure, and perhaps even mortality, subtly conveyed through the juxtaposition of beautiful objects within a carefully constructed visual space.