# Deliciously Detailed Food Portraits Tjalf Sparnaay Glorifies Everyday Edible Items By Susan Keefe | Published 2011-09-24 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tjalf-sparnaay References: [foodista](http://www.foodista.com/blog/2011/09/21/hyperrealistic-food-paintings-will-make-you-do-a-double-take) & [tjalfsparnaay.nl](http://www.tjalfsparnaay.nl/index_eng.html) Dutch photo-realist painter Tjalf Sparnaay creates delicious portraits of food that are so detailed and sumptuous you might catch yourself reaching out for a bite. Sparnaay is by his own admission strongly influenced by the Dutch masters Vermeer and Rembrandt. Both of these legendary artists are notable for their meticulous work and ability to inject personality into the formal stuffy portraits that were common practice in 17th century Dutch culture. Copying the staging of his artistic heroes, Sparnaay glorifies the minute details of everyday existence by rendering food items in an almost heroic manner. By “utilizing trivial or mundane items,” Sparnaay says he hopes to “give these objects a soul, a presence.” Catching the dimples in whipped cream and the fine crinkles in cellophane, Sparnaay gives his viewers an appreciation for the finer details in life. Even if these paintings aren’t your bag, you have to admit Tjalf Sparnaay is at least capable of making your tummy rumble. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Hyper-realistic Food Art:** Opportunity to disrupt the art industry by creating hyper-realistic food artwork that captures the fine details of everyday edible items. - **Incorporating Dutch Masters' Techniques:** Opportunity to disrupt the art world by combining the meticulous techniques of Vermeer and Rembrandt with modern food photography to create stunning and soulful food portraits. - **Celebrating Mundane Objects:** Opportunity to disrupt the perception of everyday objects by showcasing their beauty and intricacy through detailed food portraits. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Art:** Opportunity for artists to explore hyper-realistic food art and create visually stunning and engaging pieces that captivate viewers. - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity to use hyper-realistic food art to enhance marketing campaigns, package designs, and menu displays, creating a visually appealing experience for customers. - **Photography:** Opportunity for photographers to experiment with capturing the intricate details of everyday edible items and create breathtaking food portraits that evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Realistic Food Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantlers-rations.md) - [Food-Inspired Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dish-pics.md) - [Painterly Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7-paintings-the-art-of-dining.md) - [Oil Painting-Inspired Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antonio-santn.md) - [Food-Inspired Brand Imagery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cooking-clases-barcelona-venue.md) - [Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-keller.md) - [Unique Artistic Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amusebouche.md) - [Stunning Origami Portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/origami-portaits.md) - [Archival Pigment Art Print](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallax.md)