In a surprising discovery at an Oslo museum in 2022, art historian Cynthia Osiecki found an unattributed still-life painting that she suspected might be the work of Clara Peeters, a pioneering 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist. The painting, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was initially believed to be by Ambrosius Brueghel but was later reattributed to Peeters after a meticulous process that spanned several years.
Peeters, known for embedding her likeness in her works, often painted tiny self-portraits in reflective surfaces like pewter jugs. The Oslo painting, depicting nine dead birds, hazelnuts, and apricots, showcased Peeters’ signature style. Despite challenges like woodworm damage obscuring the signature, Osiecki’s team’s thorough analysis and comparison with other works confirmed Peeters as the artist.
The National Museum of Norway is shining a light on historic female artists, including Peeters, in an upcoming exhibition titled “Woman Painter.” Nora Ceciliedatter, the museum’s director, emphasized the importance of highlighting underrepresented artistic perspectives. Osiecki stressed the ongoing need to uncover and acknowledge overlooked female artists to give them the recognition they deserve.