Pseudo-Roestraten

The notname was given as the artist's works show some resemblance to that of the Dutch painter Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten.

Recurring elements of the paintings are arrangements of books, documents and precious objects with a vanitas meaning displayed on oriental carpets.

[1] The works attributed to the Pseudo-Roestraten typically depict all kinds of objects on a table or ledge, which is covered with a red oriental carpet.

This genre of still life aims to evoke the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits through the use of stock symbols, which reference the transience of things, the brevity of life and, in particular, the futility of earthly wealth and glory: skulls, soap bubbles, candles, smoking utensils, empty glasses, wilting flowers, insects, smoke, watches, hourglasses mirrors, books and musical instruments, and various expensive or exclusive objects such as jewellery, silverware and rare shells.

[4][5] The worldview behind the vanitas paintings was a Christian understanding of the world as a temporary place of fleeting pleasures and sorrows from which mankind can only escape through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ.