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Willem Van Aelst Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Willem Van Aelst our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Willem Van Aelst · 1627 – 1683

Still-Life of Dead Birds and Hunting Weapons

1660 · Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin · original 86 x 68 cm

A haunting still life by Willem van Aelst depicts dead birds and hunting weapons, reflecting Dutch Golden Age artistry & exploring themes of mortality & human activity. Explore its rich details!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$32068 × 86 cm Commission at original size

Snack

Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg · original 57.0 x 48.5cm

This dramatic Dutch Golden Age still life by Willem van Aelst features intense chiaroscuro. Own this museum-quality oil reproduction today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22949 × 57 cm Commission at original size

Still Life with Dead Birds and Game Bag

1674 · J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles · original 45.5 x 37.0cm

This somber Dutch Golden Age still life by Willem van Aelst captures a hunting aftermath. Discover the beauty of this masterwork today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19737 × 46 cm Commission at original size

Still Life with Partridges

1671 · Mauritshuis, The Hague · original 58.8 x 47.8cm

This dramatic Dutch Baroque still life by Willem van Aelst captures hunting trophies in exquisite detail. Discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23148 × 59 cm Commission at original size

Vase of Flowers with Pocket Watch

1656 · Staatliche Museen, Kassel

This Dutch Golden Age still life by Willem van Aelst features vibrant flowers and a pocket watch. Shop this exquisite oil on canvas reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Still-Life with Hunting Equipment and Dead Birds

1668 · Staatliche Museen, Kassel · original 68 x 54 cm

Discover this intricate 17th-century Dutch still life of hunting equipment by Willem van Aelst; explore the detailed realism of this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25654 × 68 cm Commission at original size

Flowers in a Silver Vase

1663 · Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco · original 67.5 x 54.5cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25655 × 68 cm Commission at original size

Still Life with Peaches and Grapes

Nationalmuseum, Stockholm · original 43.0 x 33.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19033 × 43 cm Commission at original size

Still life with a roemer, fish, bread, walnuts, onions and grapes on a dark cloth

1679 · Kunstmuseum Basel, Basel · original 58.5 x 46.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22746 × 59 cm Commission at original size

Breakfast Piece

1671 · Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna · original 49 x 41 cm

Experience the exquisite detail of Willem van Aelst’s ‘Breakfast Piece,’ a stunning Dutch Golden Age still life brimming with realism and light. This 1671 masterpiece showcases meticulous food arrangements and masterful chiaroscuro, perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20741 × 49 cm Commission at original size

Seafood, Onion, and Glassware

1679 · Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Dresden · original 56.0 x 45.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22245 × 56 cm Commission at original size

Dead Birds and Hunting Gear

1664 · Nationalmuseum, Stockholm · original 68.0 x 54.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25654 × 68 cm Commission at original size

A Dead White Cock

1662 · Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen · original 99.0 x 79.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37879 × 99 cm Commission at original size

Still Life. Breakfast Piece with a Silver Jug

1657 · Statens Museum For Kunst, Copenhagen · original 58.0 x 46.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$22746 × 58 cm Commission at original size

Still Life of Flowers

1677 · Ashmolean Museum, Oxford · original 32.0 x 26.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Still Life

1655 · Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 65.0 x 52.6cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$24953 × 65 cm Commission at original size

Still life with thistle, mouse, frog, snail and insects

1671 · Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, Carlsruhe · original 75.0 x 57.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27457 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Fruit and Wine Glass

1659 · Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp · original 81.0 x 66.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$30566 × 81 cm Commission at original size

Rebhühner und Jagdgerät

1650 · Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 75.0 x 56.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27256 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Still-Life with Fruit

1664 · Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid · original 67 x 52 cm

Exquisite Baroque still life by Willem van Aelst (1664). Dramatic lighting, rich detail & symbolic elements in this captivating oil painting. Discover a masterpiece of Dutch Golden Age art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25152 × 67 cm Commission at original size

Flower Still Life

1663 · Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati · original 52.7 x 39.4cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20939 × 53 cm Commission at original size

Flower still life with a watch on a partly draped marble ledge

1676 · Bavarian State Painting Collections, Munich · original 37.6 x 32.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$18332 × 38 cm Commission at original size

Still life with weaponry, nautilus cup, trumpet and silverware

1643 · Musée de Tessé, Le Mans · original 200.0 x 170.0cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17729 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1135170 × 200 cm Commission at original size

Flowers in a Vase

1651 · Musée des Augustins, Toulouse · original 44.8 x 33.4cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19233 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Still-Life with Fruit

1653 · original 77 x 102 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17736 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$379102 × 77 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Willem Van Aelst

1627 – 1683

Quick facts

Top 3 worksStill-Life of Dead Birds and Hunting Weapons, Snack, Still Life with Dead Birds and Game Bag
Topics exploredlife, still life, fruits, vase, baroque art
Died1683
Works on APS64
Typical colorsphthalo green, espresso
Color intensitymonochromatic
Mediumsoil on canvas
Creative periodsmature period

Biography

A Master of the Dutch Golden Age

Willem van Aelst emerged from the storied streets of Delft as a preeminent figure of the Dutch Golden Age, a period defined by unparalleled prosperity and artistic refinement. Born into a family of prominent city magistrates, his path toward the canvas was paved by lineage and mentorship. He began his artistic journey under the watchful eye of his uncle, Evert van Aelst, a respected still-life painter who instilled in him the foundational techniques of the genre. By 1643, Van Aelst had officially entered the Guild of Saint Luke in Delft, marking his transition from pupil to master.

His early career was marked by an expansive, cosmopolitan spirit that took him far beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Between 1645 and 1649, he lived in France, and subsequently traveled to Italy, where his talents garnered international acclaim. In Florence, he served as a court painter to Ferdinando II de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. During this illustrious period, he was known by the Italianized name Guillielmo d'Olanda, and his skill was so highly regarded that the Grand Duke publicly honored him with a gold chain and medal. This exposure to the Mediterranean light and the sophisticated tastes of the Medici court undoubtedly enriched his visual vocabulary.

The Art of Stillness and Symbolism

Van Aelst specialized in the exquisite realms of still-life painting, specifically focusing on floral arrangements and game. His work is celebrated for its ability to transform the mundane into the magnificent. Whether depicting a Breakfast Piece or a collection of hunting trophies, he possessed a singular ability to imbue inanimate objects with a palpable, breathing presence. His compositions often utilized chiaroscuro—the dramatic interplay of light and shadow—to create a profound illusion of depth and texture. In his hands, the rough skin of an onion, the delicate translucency of a glass vase, or the glistening feathers of a bird became subjects of intense psychological and sensory engagement.

Beyond mere technical virtuosity, Van Aelst’s paintings served as complex tapestries of meaning. His works often explored the tension between beauty and decay, reflecting the 17th-century fascination with vanitas—the fleeting nature of life. In pieces such as his Still-Life of Dead Birds and Hunting Weapons, he captured a haunting beauty that spoke to themes of honor, death, and the precarious balance of the natural world. His ability to weave together prosperity and mortality allowed his art to resonate deeply with the social and cultural values of the Dutch Republic.

Legacy and Artistic Influence

Upon returning to the Netherlands, Van Aelst settled in Amsterdam, where he became one of the most prominent still-life painters of his generation. His success allowed him to reside in the prestigious Prinsengracht district, a testament to his standing in the art world. His influence extended far beyond his own brushstrokes, as he became a teacher to several notable artists who would carry forward the traditions of Dutch still life, including:

Rachel Ruysch
Isaac Denies
Maria van Oosterwijck
Ernst Stuven

The historical significance of Willem van Aelst lies not only in his individual mastery but in his role as a bridge between the local traditions of Delft and the grander European courts. His works remain preserved in some of the world's most esteemed institutions, including the National Gallery of Art and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, ensuring that his meticulous observations of life, light, and shadow continue to captivate viewers centuries after his passing.

Questions & Answers

Can I explore Willem Van Aelst's works by subject?

Willem Van Aelst's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.

How many artworks by Willem Van Aelst are available to browse?

You can browse 64 artworks by Willem Van Aelst on the All Artworks page.

Can I visit a virtual museum of Willem Van Aelst's works?

Willem Van Aelst's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Aug. 31, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Willem van Aelst born?
Who was Willem van Aelst's teacher and uncle?
To which Italian family did Van Aelst serve as a court painter?
What was the primary subject matter of Willem van Aelst's paintings?
In which year did Van Aelst enroll as a master of the Guild of Saint Luke at Delft?

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