In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age, Pieter de Ring, or Ryng, entered the artistic stage. Born around 1615, he rose to fame because of his magnificent still lifes that artfully depicted banquet pieces with fruit, lobster, a goblet, shrimp, oysters, a rug, and Chinese porcelain. The observer might spot a painted ring or the Latin form of his name, P.Ab.Annulo, on his works, a subtle sign of his artistic presence.

Uncertainty surrounds the birthplace of de Ring. He could have been born either in Leiden or Ypres in Flanders. However, the archives of Ypres were destroyed in August 1914 and there is no record of his birth in the Leiden archives. What is known, however, is that de Ring began his artistic career as a mason, painting still lifes in the evening. His talent led him to become a student of the renowned painter Jan Davidsz de Heem. In time, he established himself in a house in Hogewoerd, where he continued to develop his artistic career. The Leiden archives seem to have no record of his marriage or children, and it is not known if he bought a house there or made a will. What is known, however, is that he was one of the founding members of the Guild of St. Luke in 1648. His life ended in Leiden and he was buried in the Pieterskerk in Leiden on September 22, 1660.

Interestingly, Pieter may have had a brother named Jan de Ringh, who was also from Ypres and became a citizen of Leiden in 1651. The Ringh family was known for its textile skills, specializing in the production of serge, camlet or cloth. This knowledge of textiles is reflected in de Ringh's work, particularly in a painting in the Geelvinck-Hinlopen Huis Museum, which features an impressively realistic depiction of cloth on a table. Our fine art prints of de Ring's masterpieces manage to capture the fascinating details and lush aesthetic of his original works. They are not only a tribute to his artistry, but also an example of how we strive to keep the legacy of this outstanding Golden Age artist alive.