Dutch Discovery Exhibit of Mysterious Still-Life Painter Small but Wondrous by Anna Gawel Adriaen Coorte was a Dutch still-life painter in the 17th centuryóthat much has been well established. The rest, however, remains a bit of a mystery, which is what makes his still-life renderings of asparagus, gooseberries, skulls, seashells and other offbeat subjects all the more enticing. Coorteís gifts were not discovered until the 1950s, and today it is still not known whether the artist took up painting professionally or simply as a gentleman ìamateurî painter. In fact, all that is really known about Coorte is that he signed and dated about 100 exceptional works. Although much of his life was spent in relative artistic obscurity, Coorte is now getting his dues in a modest but worthwhile exhibition at the National Gallery of Art titled ìSmall Wonders: Dutch Still Lifes by Adriaen Coorte.î Indeed, the overriding theme of the exhibit is ìsmall.î The collection itself is small, totaling a mere 19 pieces. In addition, the pieces that are there are not the large-scale works of art typically seen at the gallery: Most are about the size of a computer screen. The paintings in this one-room e xhibit are simple and tightly focused, consistently featuring a few still-life objects against a dark background. But donít let the simplicity or size of these works fool youóCoorte stuck to what he knew best and perfected it. His compositions, though spare, are meticulously balanced and unusually striking. The scenes Coorte captured are ripeóliterallyówith color, texture and detail, highlighting each curve and shadow of the objects he portrayed. And these objects were not the typical apples, pears, flowers and other banal fare of the still-life genre. He specialized in the more exotic, namely asparagus, gooseberries, red currants, chestnuts and other intriguing choices, imbuing his subjects with his own deft touches. Coorte would often pair his favorite subjects to create eye-catching combinations that, though they may appear odd at first glance, clearly complement one another. He particularly enjoyed teaming stacks of asparagus rolled together in a bundle with strawberries and gooseberries. The result is a sumptuous scene full of delicate overtones, as evidenced by the gentle bend of the asparagus tips, the natural, almost wind-swept appearance of the leaves and branches, and the occasional placement of a tiny white flower or fluttering butterfly in the painting. Coorteís asparagus stacks are painted in subtle hues of white and green with just a hint of pink, although his strawberries, filled to the rim of expensive Chinese porcelain bowls, are a rather flat representation of both the berries and the bowl. Coorteís true skills shine in his other fruit forays. His red currants and gooseberries exude a luminous energyóso translucent one can see the veins underneath the skin and so plump it appears the juice inside is about to burst. These intimate renderings are full of contrasting and complementing motifs. Interestingly, all of Coorteís subjects rest on a cracked stone ledge, a somewhat dark peculiarity meant to remind viewers of lifeís fleeting, transient qualities. His fruit and vegetables also seem to veer toward a faint light that hovers from an overhead corner, a more positive feature that was perhaps meant to counterbalance the foreboding ledge below. In addition to his food still lifes, Coorte experimented with other subjects to produce a series of arresting images, most notably ìVanitas Still Life in a Niche,î an eerie piece that differs sharply from many of his other works. The painting features a curious potpourri of objects ranging from a deck of cards and dice to a violin and clay pipe, all surrounding the focal point of the piece: a large skull. The ominous subject matter is rife with hidden meaning that unfortunately we can only guess at. Critics say the painting represents the ìdangers of succumbing to sensual pleasures,î but why, for example, is the mouth of the skull holding a page of music notes? Why is a beautiful shell placed inconspicuously in the corner, and why is a single leaf protruding from the side? The answers, like the details of Coorteís life, are enshrouded in mystery, which adds a wonderful allure to these darker works. Several other still lifes included in the exhibit also vary from Coorteís repertoire and are another reflection of the artistís strange but compelling talents. His chestnuts, for instance, are dramatically split open and appear to be rupturing at the seams, while his shells, some spiked with sharp edges, are covered in muted beiges, browns and creams to create exotic patterns and a ribbed textureóa testament to Coorteís ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. ìSmall Wondersî marks the National Galleryís acquisition of ìStill Life With Asparagus and Red Currants,î the museumís first permanent Coorte painting. Although it encompasses only one room, the exhibit is sure to surprise viewers. As one admirer put it, ìThis guy was quite a talented little fella.î And this is one talented little collection. ìSmall Wonders: Dutch Still Lifes by Adriaen Coorteî runs through Sept. 28 at the National Gallery of Art, 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue, NW. For more information, please call (202) 737-4215 or visit www.nga.gov. Anna Gawel is the assistant managing editor of The Washington Diplomat.