Theodoor Smits Active in Antwerp 1657 - in or after 1659

This picture is an excellent example of a Toebackje, or "tobacco" still life, a form that was extremely popular throughout the 17th century in the Netherlands.  A recent import for the New World, tobacco and the apparatus that went with it soon began to be associated with debauchery or vain pursuits, and they soon became incorporated into the genre of "vanitas" still life, paintings that reflect on the shortness of life. 

In this still life the viewer is very subtley invited to contemplate such transience of life.  The recently extinguished candle-- still smoking-- and the recently snuffed pipe are some traditional vanitas symbols, perhaps less obvious than the hour glasses, skulls and flowers sometimes depicted. In this picture, the artist's restricted palette which makes the shiny pewter jug and brass candlestick stand out in higher relief also add to this general effect.