Van Aelst's still-life paintings include not only arrangements of fresh fruit and vases of meticulously described flowers, but also displays of dead game and evocations of the forest floor. Van Aelst also depicted elegant objects that would have been found in the homes of his wealthy patrons, including nautilus cups, distinctive silver vessels, delicate fa?on de Venise glassware and opulent velvet drapery. The book feature about 25 of the most outstanding examples of Van Aelst's work, representing each phase of the artist's career, including his early works and paintings executedwhile he lived in Paris, Florence and Amsterdam. Also featured is the only known surviving drawing by Van Aelst (from the collection of the Harvard Art Museums).
