Maerten Boelema De Stomme Paintings

Maerten Boelema De Stomme was a Dutch Golden Age painter, born in 1611 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Not much is known about his life, and he remains an enigmatic figure in the history of art. His surname 'De Stomme' translates to 'the mute' in English, suggesting that he may have been mute; however, historical records do not provide evidence for this assertion.

De Stomme's artistic career is also shrouded in mystery. It is believed that he was active as an artist primarily in the 1630s. His work primarily consists of still life paintings, which were a popular genre in the Dutch Golden Age. His paintings exhibit a remarkable attention to detail and a skillful use of color and light, characteristics that are emblematic of the period's rich tradition of still life painting.

The artist's known oeuvre is quite limited, with only a handful of works attributed to him. These works suggest that he specialized in 'ontbijtjes' or breakfast pieces, a sub-genre of still life that depicted the morning meal. His paintings often include a range of objects such as glassware, food, and textiles, rendered with a high degree of realism.

Little is known about De Stomme's training or influences. He is sometimes linked to the Haarlem school of painting due to stylistic similarities with other artists from that region, but this connection remains speculative. The exact date of his death is also uncertain, but it is generally accepted that he died around 1644. Because of the scarcity of biographical information and surviving works, Maerten Boelema De Stomme remains a somewhat obscure figure, but his existing paintings continue to be appreciated for their quiet beauty and technical proficiency.