Picture Gallery, 1. Stock
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
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Pieter Claesz: Still Lifes
on view until 15 March 2026
An exhibition organized in collaboration with Kaiserschild Foundation, Alte Galerie of the Universalmuseum Joanneum Graz and Kunst Museum Winterthur.
Pieter Claesz (um 1598–1661), Stillleben mit Glaspokal, 1642. Universalmuseum Joanneum, Alte Galerie Schloss Eggenberg, Leihgabe Kaiserschild-Stiftung, Inv.-Nr. L 82 © Foto: UMJ/N. Lackner
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, in cooperation with Kaiserschild Foundation, dedicates a unique special exhibition to the Dutch Baroque painter Pieter Claesz (c. 1597/98–1660). As part of the Kaiserschild Art Defined project, the exhibition focuses on three key works by Claesz, who is considered one of most important still life painters of the seventeenth century.
In collaboration with the Alte Galerie of the Universalmuseum Joanneum Graz and the Kunst Museum Winterthur, atmospherically rich still lifes by Pieter Claesz will be on display together, showcasing his masterful use of light and his refined handling of materiality.
Pieter Claesz – Master of Subtlety and Illusion
Originally from Flanders, Claesz settled in Haarlem around 1620, a thriving artistic hub of the time. There he developed the form of still life known as the ‘laid tables’, adapted from Antwerp predecessors: a reduced colour palette, a few carefully selected objects, and masterful lighting define his works. This motif of small meal paintings – known as ontbijtjes or banketjes – brought him fame. With over 230 paintings, he left a lasting mark on the genre and today is recognized as the main master of Haarlem still life, a pioneer and important innovator of still life painting.
Vanitas-Stillleben, Pieter Claesz, 1656 datiert
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Opening times
Daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thu until 9 pm
On average, visitors spend around 1.5 hours in the Picture Gallery.
In cooperation with the
Kaiserschild Foundation
Claesz’s Masterful Use of Light – Rediscovered
The presentation is complemented by high-resolution digital reproductions accessible via an interactive multimedia table, that allows direct engagement with the artworks and deeper insights into the visual language of the Baroque during the so-called Dutch Golden Age. The exhibition is accompanied by several short films that delve further into the still-life genre, the historical context, and the life and work of Pieter Claesz.
Digital Innovation meets Old Masters
The exhibition is part of Kaiserschild Art Defined, a project initiated by the Kaiserschild Foundation to make important works of art accessible in a new way using digital means. High-resolution, multi-perspective imagery, and short films come together to create an immersive art experience.
Pieter Claesz: Still Lifes on the floor plan
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As part of the Kaiserschild Art Defined project, the exhibition focuses on three key works by Claesz, who is considered one of most important still life painters of the seventeenth century.
Further exhibitions
Our exhibitions take you back to the rich history of our museum. Here, proven masterpieces meet newly explored themes - a look at art, culture and the past that continuously illuminates the collection.
