Samuel van Hoogstraten, who was born in Dordrecht in the Netherlands was a pupil of Rembrandt. In his work he was drawn to the style of illusionist painting known as Trompe-l’oeil that was highly popular throughout Europe in the 17th century. The term  is French for “Deceive the eye”.

The still life shown here is an impressive example of this painting style. Through an ingenious use of perspective Hoogstraten manages to simulate a non-existent spatial effect. The painter makes us believe we are seeing the door of a wooden wall cabinet. Hanging on nails driven into it are a white cloth, a mirror with a black frame, a dust brush and a leather pouch with pockets. These everyday objects are rendered with realistic precision in their original size. But the principal element responsible for the illusionist effect is the light falling from the left. It is arranged so naturally that the objects appear present and within our grasp.

The still-life was completed during Hoogstraten’s second trip to Vienna in February 1655. Four years earlier he had already visited the city on the Danube and had been received by the emperor. The monarch was so pleased with Hoogstraten’s trompe-l’oeil paintings that he gave the artist a golden medal. This has also been incorporated into the still life. It is in the leather pouch, partially covered by the dust cloth.