“Lost Clara Peeters Masterpiece Found in Museum Storage”

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As It Happens6:42Hiding in plain sight: A lost masterpiece by an overlooked female artist discovered in a museum’s storage

During a routine exploration of a storeroom at an Oslo museum in 2022, art historian and curator Cynthia Osiecki came across an unidentified still-life painting. Osiecki, who had been researching the renowned 17th-century Flemish Baroque artist Clara Peeters, suspected that the painting might be one of Peeters’ lost creations.

Osiecki expressed her surprise, stating, “We were in the process of acquiring a Clara Peeters piece, as many museums are actively seeking artworks by female artists. It was almost surreal to stumble upon a potential Clara Peeters painting in our own storage, unbeknownst to us.”

Despite Peeters’ significant artistic contributions, she remains relatively obscure to the general public, a common plight among female artists of her time, according to Osiecki.

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The National Museum of Norway aims to shed light on historic female artists through the upcoming exhibition “Woman Painter,” set to open in Oslo on Oct. 8. The exhibit will showcase the works of 19 female artists from northern Europe and Italy between 1550 and 1650, including Judith Leyster, Lavinia Fontana, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Clara Peeters.

Thorough Process of Attributing the Painting

The discovered piece, titled “Still Life with Small Game and Grapes on a Gilded Tazza,” was previously thought to be created by Ambrosius Brueghel before being labeled as “anonymous” and stored away.

After extensive research spanning several years, the painting was officially recognized as a work by Clara Peeters, a meticulous journey led by Osiecki.

Peeters, known for her intricate still-life paintings, often incorporated subtle self-portraits into her artworks, asserting her professional identity in a male-dominated art world.

Noteworthy details in the painting, such as the depiction of dead birds, hazelnuts, apricots, and the unique portrayal of grapes, aided in confirming Peeters as the artist behind the piece.

Despite challenges like woodworm damage obscuring potential signatures, Osiecki’s team persevered in attributing the artwork to Peeters through thorough analysis and comparison with her other works.

The painting is now set to be prominently featured at the upcoming exhibition.

Nora Ceciliedatter, director of collections and exhibitions at the National Museum of Norway, highlighted the importance of exhibitions like “Woman Painter” in promoting underrepresented artistic perspectives.

Osiecki emphasized the significance of uncovering overlooked female artists, stating, “Research into women artists continues to reveal hidden gems, making it a worthwhile endeavor.”