Art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki stumbled upon an unattributed still-life painting in an Oslo museum storeroom in 2022, sparking a revelation. Osiecki, immersed in the study of Clara Peeters, a pioneering 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist, suspected the painting might be a lost work by Peeters.
Osiecki expressed astonishment at the possibility of having a Clara Peeters piece in their storage while actively seeking to acquire works by women artists. She highlighted the challenges faced by female artists like Peeters in gaining recognition during their time.
The National Museum of Norway is showcasing historic female artists in the upcoming exhibition “Woman Painter,” featuring works by prominent artists including Judith Leyster, Lavinia Fontana, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Clara Peeters.
Unveiling the Artist Behind the Painting
The painting, initially attributed to Ambrosius Brueghel, a renowned artist from Antwerp, Belgium, was reclassified as “anonymous” before being linked to Clara Peeters after a meticulous investigative process led by Osiecki.
Peeters, known for incorporating self-portraits into her works, left subtle clues in her creations, such as reflections and unique object placements. The Oslo painting, titled Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza, displayed distinctive features synonymous with Peeters’ style.
Despite challenges, including damage to the painting’s signature area, Osiecki’s dedication and collaborative efforts confirmed Peeters as the true artist behind the masterpiece.
The painting’s journey to recognition symbolizes the ongoing effort to acknowledge and celebrate overlooked female artists, emphasizing the importance of research and attribution in art history.
Nora Ceciliedatter, director of collections and exhibitions at the National Museum of Norway, emphasized the significance of exhibitions like “Woman Painter” in highlighting underrepresented artistic perspectives.
Osiecki stressed the necessity of continuing the search for female artists’ works to rectify misattributions and ensure their rightful place in art history.