Unknown fruits in a painting from 17 century

[binaryMoods]

Willem Kalf, a Dutch artist.

Still Life with Ewer, Vessels and Pomegranate

Do you see those two green raisin looking like fruits? In a small basket on the left hand side.

They look like raisins, but they are too big to be raisins. They don't look like pears.

 

[Andy M.]

Maybe fresh figs.

 

[menumaker]

I would suggest green figs

 

[puffin3]

Definitely not green figs. From the size compared with the lemon I'm saying green olives. Note the 'stem end'. Green figs are shaped like a small pear and when ready to eat are about half the size of a lemon.

 

[creative]

I have only seen large breadfruit...could they be young ones?

 

[Aunt Bea]

At first I thought of figs, now I'm not sure maybe green plums. I think I see a slice of melon on the right side of the basket. I looked at several descriptions of the painting and they all give a general description.

 

[Andy M.]

Definitely not green figs. From the size compared with the lemon I'm saying green olives. Note the 'stem end'. Green figs are shaped like a small pear and when ready to eat are about half the size of a lemon.

Not there. Look on the left side of the painting, not the right side.

 

[Steve Kroll]

Who knows... but I think someone needs to push that plate back onto the table before it falls!

 

[Aunt Bea]

Who knows... but I think someone needs to push that plate back onto the table before it falls!

It's been like that since the 1640's, I think it will be fine!

 

[creative]

Who knows... but I think someone needs to push that plate back onto the table before it falls!

Ha...and pomegranate on white linen is surely a mistake? Ah but the well-to-do have servants that clean!

 

[binaryMoods]

Here is a really good close up, I now think these could be green grapes as clusters

 

[GotGarlic]

They seem to be bigger than the olives on the plate, which would be the same size as grapes. I'm going with figs

 

[binaryMoods]

Not individual grapes, two grape clusters as in a bunch. They are just not so detailed.

 

[GotGarlic]

Considering the detailed work in other parts of the painting, I would expect to be able to see separate grapes if that's what they were. They look like solid fruits to me.

 

[Dawgluver]

They look like dried peppers to me.

 

[salt and pepper]

Figs, pomegranate and melon.

 

[larry_stewart]

They look like dried peppers to me.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[GotGarlic]

That's a good thought, too, Dawg.

I'm fascinated by this whole thing, and a little frustrated that I can't find information on this particular painting lol There was an exhibition of his work in the United States in 2000 and a catalog associated with it, but it doesn't look like this one was included.

Apparently he painted each item individually, deliberately with great detail. Very interesting.

 

[larry_stewart]

Yeah, i feel like a detective. Ive been scouring the internet looking for more info/ clues...

 

[Steve Kroll]

I'm actually wondering if they might be dried gooseberries. The size looks about right, and gooseberries are native to Europe.