Willem Claasz Heda

Willem Claasz Heda , 1594-c.1678, Dutch still-life painter. His excellent studies of tables laden with food, called ontbijt [breakfast piece] still life, are seen in many important European galleries. They are characterized by delicate lighting effects and somber colors.

Heda, Willem Claesz. (b Haarlem, c.1594; d Haarlem, 1680). Dutch still-life painter, active in Haarlem. He and Pieter Claesz. are the most important representatives of ontbijt (breakfast piece) painting in the Netherlands. His overall grey-green or brownish tonalities are very similar to those of Claesz., but Heda's work was usually more highly finished and his taste was more aristocratic. He showed a preference for ham, mincemeat pie, and oysters, and after 1629 never included a herring in his pictures. His son Gerrit (d before 1702) was his pupil and a close imitator of his style.

Heda, Willem Claesz. (c.1594–1680/2). Dutch still-life painter, active in his native Haarlem. He and Pieter Claesz. are the most important representatives of ontbijt (breakfast piece) painting in the Netherlands. His overall grey-green or brownish tonalities are very similar to those of Claesz., but Heda's work was usually more highly finished and his taste was more aristocratic. He showed a preference for ham, mincemeat pie, and oysters, and after 1629 never included a herring in his pictures. His son Gerrit (d. before 1702) was his pupil and a close imitator of his style.