Willem van Aelst

Willem van Aelst (1627–1683) was a Dutch painter specialising in still life. Raised in Delft, he trained with his uncle Evert van Aelst and joined the Guild of Saint Luke in 1643. He subsequently lived in France and Italy. In Florence, he worked for Cardinals Gian Carlo and Leopoldo de’ Medici. Returning to the Netherlands in 1656, he eventually settled in Amsterdam.

His subjects included flowers, fruit, fish and forest floors, as well as dead game and hunting equipment. He contributed particularly to the development of hunting still lifes, which became popular during the second half of the seventeenth century. This range of objects was accompanied by attention to materials and arrangement. Rachel Ruysch was among his pupils, extending the significance of his teaching within flower painting.

Works recorded at auction

Lempertz · Lot 2078

Stilleben mit zwei Pfirsichen und Weintrauben auf einem Zinnteller, mit einer Libelle, auf einer Marmorplatte

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Stilleben mit zwei Pfirsichen und Weintrauben auf einem Zinnteller, mit einer Libelle, auf einer Marmorplatte
Öl auf Leinwand

Auction date : 2020-05-30

Published result : 50000 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 40000

View the lot at the auction house ↗

Lempertz · Lot 1268

Glasvase mit Rosen, Iris, Tagetes und Tulpe in einer Nische

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Glasvase mit Rosen, Iris, Tagetes und Tulpe in einer Nische
Öl auf Leinwand

Auction date : 2019-05-18

Published result : 74400 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 60000

View the lot at the auction house ↗