Joachim Beuckelaer, 'The Four Elements: Earth', 1569. London, The National Gallery.

Joachim Beuckelaer, 'The Four Elements: Water', 1569.
London, The National Gallery.

Joachim Beuckelaer, 'The Four Elements: Air', 1570.
London, The National Gallery.

Joachim Beuckelaer, 'The Four Elements: Fire', 1570.
London, The National Gallery.

Recent Acquisition

'The Four Elements'

1569-70

Joachim Beuckelaer
(active 1560 to 1574)

NG6585 - NG6588

The National Gallery has acquired 'The Four Elements' by the neglected artist Joachim Beuckelaer.

This magnificent set of four large still-life scenes is by one of the pioneers of the genre in the late 16th century. Their acquisition has allowed the Gallery to renew and enhance its display of painting from the Low Countries of the period 1550-1600.

The set of four pictures takes as its theme the four elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire.

In the art of the Low Countries in the later 16th and 17th centuries it became common to symbolise the elements by references to the natural world. Here, seductive representations of market produce for sale or for cooking are combined with relevant Biblical episodes.

Beuckelaer's series of paintings are among the earliest and most accomplished fusions of these themes. These four pictures were produced in Antwerp, probably for a patron in Italy.

To find out more about each painting, and to see an enlargement, click on the pictures, left.

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