A recently discovered painting by Clara Peeters, a prominent 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist, was found hidden in a storage room at an Oslo museum by art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki. The painting, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was previously thought to be created by Ambrosius Brueghel but was reattributed to Peeters after a meticulous analysis spanning several years.
Osiecki’s keen eye and in-depth research uncovered subtle clues in the painting that pointed to Peeters as the artist. Known for her pioneering work in still-life painting and embedding self-portraits in her works, Peeters used distinctive elements like pewter jugs and specific compositions that helped identify her style.
Despite challenges such as woodworm damage obscuring Peeters’ signature on the painting, Osiecki and her team diligently compared the piece to other works by Peeters and her contemporaries, ultimately confirming Peeters as the painter. The painting will now be showcased at an upcoming exhibition in Oslo featuring works by historic female artists, shedding light on the overlooked contributions of women in art history.
The discovery of this lost masterpiece underscores the importance of continuing research to uncover and acknowledge female artists whose works have been undervalued or misattributed. Osiecki emphasizes the significance of dedicating time and effort to recognize and celebrate the artistic achievements of women throughout history.
