Vegetable Seller — History & Facts
In Vegetable Seller, Nicolaes Maes presents a lively market scene filled with vibrant colors. The painting features a central figure, a vegetable seller, surrounded by an array of fresh produce. Rich greens, yellows, and earthy tones dominate the palette, creating a sense of abundance.
The background hints at a bustling marketplace, adding to the overall atmosphere of activity. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a common medium during the Dutch Golden Age. The brushwork is detailed, capturing the textures of the vegetables and the clothing of the seller. Light plays a significant role, highlighting the freshness of the produce and the warmth of the scene.
The dimensions are approximately 70 x 90 cm, making it a medium-sized work that draws the viewer in. Nicolaes Maes was known for his genre scenes and portraits, often depicting everyday life in the 17th century. This work reflects the artist's ability to blend realism with a narrative quality, showcasing the importance of market life in Dutch society. An interesting fact about Vegetable Seller is that it exemplifies the shift towards more everyday subjects in art during this period, moving away from solely religious themes.
Maes' attention to detail and use of light make this piece a notable example of his work.
More Artworks by Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of George Bredehoff de Vicq as Ganymede
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of a Man
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of a Lady Seated By a Fountain
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of a Man
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of a Man
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of a Man
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of Catharina Pottey, Sister of Willem and Sara Pottey
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of four Children
Nicolaes Maes

Portrait of Jacob Trip
Nicolaes Maes

Ingena Rotterdam (died 1704), Betrothed of Admiral Jacob Binkes
Nicolaes Maes
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
