This comprehensive two-volume monograph and catalogue raisonné examines the life, artistic development and complete known oeuvre of Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606-1684), one of the leading still-life painters of the seventeenth century. Fred G. Meijer traces the artist's career across the Northern and Southern Netherlands, from his early years in Leiden to his periods of activity in Utrecht and Antwerp. The study explores how De Heem developed a distinctive approach to still-life painting, combining meticulous observation with sophisticated composition, rich colour and remarkable effects of light and texture. Particular attention is paid to his sumptuous flower pieces, which became especially prominent after 1660, as well as his fruit still lifes, banquet pieces and elaborate arrangements of precious vessels and other objects. The author considers the artistic influences, workshop practices, pupils and followers that contributed to De Heem's lasting reputation. Volume one contains an introduction, biography and discussion of the development of his work; volume two presents the catalogue raisonné of the paintings currently known, together with appendices. The extensive illustrations and detailed entries make this publication an essential reference for the study of Dutch and Flemish still-life painting. Fred G. Meijer (born 1955) is a Dutch art historian specialising in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century still-life painting. He worked at the Netherlands Institute for Art History (RKD) in The Hague, where he became senior curator of Old Netherlandish Painting. His doctoral research on Jan Davidsz. de Heem formed the basis of this monograph. (AI-gegenereerde inhoudsbeschrijving)