Lot 77: Gerrit Willemsz. Heda (active Haarlem 1642-1649)

Gerrit Willemsz. Heda (active Haarlem 1642-1649)
A pewter jug, a silver cup, a ham on a silver plate, a knife on a pewter plate and a roll of bread, all on a partially draped wooden table
traces of collectors' seals on the reverse
oil on panel
79.3 x 59.2 cm.

Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €20,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €20,001 and €800.000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €800.000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
Willem Heda registered his son Gerrit as one of his pupils in 1642. In his father's studio he was very quickly recognised as an artist of great talent. However, his promising career was cut short due to his untimely death in 1649.
His death in 1649 is also attested by a picture in the National Gallery, Washington which was started by Gerrit but finished by Willem in 1650 who also signed it.

We are grateful to Mr. Fred Meijer of the RKD, The Hague, for
confirming the attribution after inspection of the original (verbal
communication, 3 February 2009). He suggest a date of circa 1643,
when Gerrit was still working in his father's studio.