In the world of Dutch banquet still life paintings, extravagance and excess reign supreme. These sumptuous scenes, known as pronkstilleven, are a subgenre of still life painting that became popular in the mid-seventeenth century. Mountainous piles of luxurious goods flood the canvases, showcasing luscious fruits, savory meats, ornate servingware, and exotic textiles. However, beneath the opulence lies a darker truth – the Dutch Republic’s wealth was built upon exploitation and hidden suffering. Banquet still lifes reveal a facade of abundance while masking the true cost of labor and resources. These paintings serve as a striking commentary on the societal dynamics of wealth and consumption in the seventeenth century.
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/dutch-banquet-scenes/