Nicolaes Gillis (1595 – 1632): The Dawn of Breakfast Still Life Nicolaes Gillis, born in Antwerp in 1595, emerged as a pivotal figure within the Dutch Golden Age artistic landscape. His formative years were steeped in the intellectual fervor of Antwerp’s renowned art academy, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of masters like Floris van Dyck – an influence that would profoundly shape his distinctive style and compositional sensibilities. This mentorship instilled in him a meticulous attention to detail and a deep appreciation for harmonious balance, characteristics that permeate th…