Still Life with Oysters, Lemons and Grapes

His "Still Life with Oysters, Lemons and Grapes" calls to mind a reversed modified version of a work by his father (Residenzgalerie Salzburg, Inv. no. 562). Both works are relatively small-scale, although Jan in particular liked to assemble tableware, fruit and oysters in large, sumptuous arrangements.
The slightly elevated viewpoint and the peeled lemon are reminiscent of his father’s work. Mixed with the wine, the sour lemon-juice is an admonition to moderation/"temperantia". The hyperrealist rendering of the skin seems like the view through a microscope. Outwith its season, this costly, exotic fruit has its place in "banketjes" [small banquets] still lifes. Here visual enjoyment is combined with religious erudition. Besides grapes, other symbols of Christ include sweet chestnuts, hazelnuts and olives. The window crossbar is reflected on the cherries – symbol of heavenly joy –, grapes and shining tableware, the metal reflecting the gleaming colours of grapes, cherries and lemon.
In keeping with the baroque idea of "vanitas", the bitter-orange branch recalls the theme of becoming and passing away, by showing the development from blossom to ripe fruit. The "pentimento" of two cherries beside the oysters on the platter adds charm.
Cornelis’ style is characterised by strong Flemish colours. His use of dark hard shadow clearly differentiates his painting from the softer light effects of his father’s work, in which the background merges gently from greyish-brown into the dark shadow. The artist’s signature is on the lefthand edge of the table, not covered by the metallic blue tablecloth.

DUCKE Astrid: Heem Cornelis de, Still Life with Oysters, Lemons and Grapes, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 78