A recently discovered painting by Clara Peeters was found hidden in a museum’s storage by art historian Cynthia Osiecki. The piece, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was initially thought to be by Ambrosius Brueghel but was later reattributed to Peeters after careful examination.
Osiecki, who had been studying Peeters’ work, stumbled upon the painting in Oslo and noticed distinct clues that led her to believe it could be a lost masterpiece by the pioneering 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist. Despite Peeters’ significant contributions to art, she remains relatively unknown to the general public, a common plight among female artists of her time.
The National Museum of Norway is shining a light on historic female artists with the upcoming exhibition “Woman Painter,” featuring works by 19 female artists from northern Europe and Italy between 1550 and 1650, including Peeters.
Peeters, known for her intricate still-life paintings, often embedded her likeness in everyday objects as a way of asserting her professional identity in a male-dominated art world. The Oslo painting showcases dead birds, hazelnuts, and apricots, with details such as a tazza and unique bird positioning that are characteristic of Peeters’ style.
Despite challenges like woodworm damage obscuring Peeters’ signature, Osiecki and her colleagues diligently researched and compared works to confirm Peeters as the true artist. The painting is now set to be a highlight of the exhibition opening on October 8.
Nora Ceciliedatter, the director of collections and exhibitions at the National Museum of Norway, emphasizes the importance of bringing visibility to underrepresented artists like Peeters. Osiecki underscores the ongoing need to uncover and recognize female artists whose significant contributions have been overlooked or misattributed.