Tomas Hiepes

TOMÁS HIEPES (Valencia, c. 1610–1674).
“Still Life with a Glass.”
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Certificate issued by José Gómez Frechina is included.
Measurements: 68 x 84 cm; 86 x 103 cm (frame).
In this composition, the artist arranges a selection of fruits on a table covered with a decorated cloth, among which peaches, figs, and small citrus fruits stand out, alongside an ornate vase with rich decorative details. The arrangement of the elements in the foreground allows each object to be clearly seen, while the dark background focuses attention on the fruits and accentuates the volume of their forms. The light falls gently on the surfaces, highlighting the nuances of the fruits’ skins, their irregularities, and their differences in texture.
One of the most striking elements of the painting is the vase with its sinuous profile and sculptural ornamentation, decorated with figures and motifs in relief. This type of vessel, with its sumptuous and elaborate appearance, is particularly characteristic of the still lifes associated with Hiepes and provides a visual counterpoint to the natural simplicity of the fruits. The work brings together several of the most recognizable features of Hiepes’s style: a balanced, geometrically oriented composition; the frontal presentation of the objects; the predominance of a warm color palette, dominated by ochres, golds, and earthy tones; and sharply contrasting lighting that makes the elements stand out against the dark background. In contrast to the greater freedom and dynamism that would characterize other still-life painters of the second half of the 17th century, Hiepes maintains a stable compositional order, following in the tradition of the first generation of Spanish still-life painters.
Also noteworthy is the attention paid to detail. The fruits are not depicted as generic forms but as individualized elements, with variations in color, volume, and surface texture that reinforce their natural appearance. Added to this is the treatment of the materials, from the sheen of the ornamental vessel to the tablecloth, whose pattern and drape help to construct a coherent and carefully articulated visual space.
Tomás Hiepes was the leading representative of 17th-century Valencian Baroque still life. Although little is known about his training, his career is documented through works signed between 1642 and 1674. Specializing in still lifes, he stood out for his orderly compositions, precise draftsmanship, and attention to textures, combining the Spanish tradition with Italian influences. His work is preserved in major collections, such as the Prado Museum, the BBVA Collection, and the Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid.