A brief history of the Dutch table piece

Though at first glance Dutch table pieces might appear similar, they went through different stylistic phases during the course of the 17th century. We can distinguish an early phase (1610-1625), a mature phase (1625-1640) and a classical phase (after 1640). Understanding the characteristics of each phase can help the viewer gain a better understanding of the table piece. But where did this tradition – which along with the flower piece is part of the still-life genre – have its roots? 

Kitchen and market scenes
Slightly more popular than its counterpart the flower piece, table pieces had their roots in the market and kitchen scenes of the 16th century. Artists such as Pieter Aertsen and Joachim Beuckelaer (both lived and worked in Flanders during the time) produced many of these scenes and can be credited with giving food a prominent role in painting.