Still life with a vase of flowers

Ambrosius Bosschaert d.ä. (1573 - 1621)

Artist/Maker

Artist: Ambrosius Bosschaert d.ä. (1573 - 1621)

DatesSigned: Signed 1620

Material / Technique

Oil on oak

Dimensionsh x w: Mått 130,3 x 85,5 cm h x w x d: Ram 141 x 99 x 8 cm

Inventory numberNM 373

AcqusitionTransferred 1865 Kongl. Museum

Other titlesTitle (sv): Stilleben med stor blomstervas Title (en): Still life with a vase of flowers

DescriptionDescription: The floral still life, developed around 1600, reflects an interest in botany at the time. Bosschaert’s compositions, painted for princely cabinets of curiosities, were ideal bouquets where flowers from different seasons were combined – both cultivated rarities and meadow flowers. Insects and flowers symbolize the transience of life. Individual plants appear in several paintings, showing that the artist worked from sketches or engravings.

Exhibited

Nationalmuseum -> Room 1618 17th century

Motif categoryStill life

Collection

Paintings (Paintings)

MaterialOil paint, Oak (Wood)

TechniquePainting

Keyword

Stilleben

External links

Wikidata: http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q18599861

Additional texteDescription: The floral still life emerged around 1600, reflecting the great interest of the period in botany. One of the pioneers was Bosschaert. His compositions, painted for royal cabinets of curiosities, represented idealised bouquets, bringing together plants from different seasons. Here, in a terracotta vase, we see illusionistically depicted blooms – both cultivated rarities and meadow flowers. The insects, like the flowers, symbolise the transitoriness of life. Individual plants recur in several paintings, showing that the artist worked partly from sketches or prints.