Born in Antwerp, Osias Beert the Elder was a foundational figure in the development of the Flemish still life tradition. He became a master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1602 and remained active in the city throughout his career, influencing the early trajectory of the genre in the region.

His work is characterized by the meticulous rendering of textures and light, often featuring table-top arrangements of food, glassware, and oysters. He is also widely recognized for his floral paintings, which frequently depicted complex bouquets contained within Wan Li porcelain vases.