In a surprising discovery at an Oslo museum, art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki stumbled upon an unidentified still-life painting in 2022. Osiecki, who was researching the works of Clara Peeters, a pioneering Flemish Baroque artist from the 17th century, suspected that the painting might be a lost piece by Peeters.
The piece, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was previously thought to be created by Ambrosius Brueghel, a member of a renowned artist family in Antwerp, Belgium. After being reclassified as “anonymous” and placed in storage, it was eventually reattributed to Peeters earlier this year, a meticulous process that spanned several years.
Peeters, known for her intricate still-life paintings, often incorporated subtle self-portraits into her works, asserting her professional identity in a male-dominated art world. The Oslo painting features nine dead birds, hazelnuts, apricots, and distinct details like grapes and a tazza, typical of Peeters’ style.
Despite challenges such as woodworm damage obscuring the signature, Osiecki and her team diligently compared the painting with other works by Peeters and her contemporaries to confirm the attribution. The painting is now set to be showcased at an upcoming exhibition titled “Woman Painter” at the National Museum of Norway, highlighting historic female artists from northern Europe and Italy.
Osiecki emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to uncover overlooked female artists and correct misattributions in the art world. The exhibition aims to shine a light on the contributions of female artists historically marginalized or unrecognized, underscoring the significance of acknowledging and celebrating their artistic legacies.