Edward Collier 1640-1708

Edward Collier 1640–1708

Edwaert Collier, also known as Evert or Edward Collier, was a Dutch still-life painter born in Breda and active successively in Haarlem, Leiden, Amsterdam and London. He probably trained in Haarlem under Vincent Laurensz. van der Vinne, whose influence is especially apparent in his early still lifes. Collier joined the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke in 1664 and was admitted to the Leiden guild in 1673. He is best known for vanitas still lifes and trompe-l'œil compositions, in which books, letters, newspapers, musical instruments, globes, watches, seals and other objects are arranged with extraordinary illusionistic precision. Early works tend towards traditional vanitas symbolism: skulls, extinguished candles, hourglasses and precious objects warn of the transience of knowledge, wealth and worldly pleasure. His later trompe-l'œil paintings increasingly turn to the contemporary world of printed information, particularly letter racks filled with newspapers, pamphlets, prints, writing materials and sealed correspondence.