We are proud to announce the acquisition by the Nationallery of Art in Washington DC of the Heda tazza at TEFAF Maastricht 2023.
Highly remarkable and interesting are the many similarities between this tazza and the ones that are depicted on the paintings by Willem Claesz. Heda. On various paintings by this Haarlem master this tazza -easily recognisable by its flutes and stars in the dish- is depicted lying on its side. Willem Claesz. Heda (1594-1680) was a Haarlem painter of breakfasts or banquets as his still-lifes were already called in the 17th century. He was active during a period of circa 40 years and is known as the master of reflection of light on flat and shiny material. The glass roemer, the pewter ewer and especially the lying tazza, were outstanding motifs that allowed him to demonstrate his skills.
The National Gallery of Art owns a “Banquet piece with minced pie” painted by Heda in 1635 with the tazza depicted on it.
Willem Claesz Heda (1594 – 1680), Banquet Piece with Mince Pie, 1635, 106.7 x 111.1 cm, National Gallery of Art, acc. no. 1991.87.1
