Balthasar van der Ast Painting Reproductions 2 of 2

Balthasar van der Ast was a Dutch Golden Age still life painter who lived in Middelburg, Netherlands, between 1593 and 1657. He became a master of the Middelburg Guild of St. Luke in 1620, and was active as a painter until his death in 1657. He was a contemporary of painters such as Jan Davidsz. de Heem and Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder.

He is known for his meticulous and highly detailed still life paintings, often featuring flowers, fruits, and other objects arranged on a table or shelf. His work often includes a strong use of light and shadow, and a careful attention to detail in the rendering of individual objects. He is considered to be one of the most important still life painters of the Dutch Golden Age, and his work continues to be highly valued by collectors and art enthusiasts today.

Van der Ast was a member of the Bosschaert family of still life painters, and his work shows influence from the work of Ambrosius Bosschaert. Today, his paintings can be found in major art museums around the world, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.