In a surprising turn of events, a valuable painting by Clara Peeters was discovered in storage at an Oslo museum by art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki in 2022. Initially thought to be a work by Ambrosius Brueghel, the painting, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was later reattributed to Peeters after a meticulous process spanning several years.
Osiecki, who specializes in the study of the pioneering 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist Clara Peeters, was astonished to find the piece hidden in plain sight. The discovery raised the question of whether the museum had unknowingly possessed a Clara Peeters masterpiece while actively seeking to acquire works by female artists.
Clara Peeters, despite her significant contributions to the art world, remains relatively obscure, much like many female artists of her time. To shed light on historic female artists, the National Museum of Norway will showcase the “Woman Painter” exhibition, featuring works by 19 female artists from northern Europe and Italy between 1550 and 1650, including Peeters.
Peeters was known for incorporating subtle self-portraits in her works, asserting her professional identity in a male-dominated field. The recently discovered painting features nine dead birds, hazelnuts, and apricots, with distinctive details characteristic of Peeters’ style.
Osiecki’s keen eye and dedication to attributing the painting to Peeters led to a thorough analysis of the artwork and comparison with other works from the same period. Despite challenges such as woodworm damage obscuring Peeters’ signature, the attribution process confirmed that Clara Peeters was the true artist behind the piece.
The upcoming exhibition on historic female artists underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women artists throughout history. Osiecki emphasizes the ongoing need to uncover and attribute works by female artists to ensure their rightful place in art history.