In a surprising discovery at an Oslo museum in 2022, art historian Cynthia Osiecki found an unattributed still-life painting that she suspected was 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 before being reclassified as “anonymous” and placed in storage.
Osiecki, who had been researching Peeters’ art, was amazed to find a potential lost masterpiece by the artist hidden in plain sight. The painting features nine dead birds, hazelnuts, apricots, and grapes, which caught Osiecki’s attention due to their unique details. Peeters was known for incorporating subtle self-portraits in her works, asserting her identity in a male-dominated art world.
Through meticulous research and comparison with Peeters’ known works, including her signature use of a drinking vessel called a “tazza,” Osiecki confirmed the attribution to Peeters despite challenges like woodworm damage obscuring the artist’s signature. The National Museum of Norway will showcase the painting in an exhibition titled “Woman Painter,” highlighting historic female artists like Peeters, Judith Leyster, and Artemisia Gentileschi.
Osiecki emphasized the importance of uncovering overlooked female artists, noting the need for continued efforts to recognize their contributions. The process of reattributing the painting to Peeters exemplifies the ongoing work required to acknowledge and celebrate women artists throughout history.
The exhibition aims to bring visibility to underrepresented artistic perspectives and careers, reflecting a broader initiative by the museum to address historical gaps in recognizing diverse artists. Osiecki stressed the significance of research in revealing more works by women artists, emphasizing the value of dedicating time and resources to this endeavor.