Tulips, Roses, Narcissi and Other Flowers in a Glass Beaker (Primary Title)
Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Dutch, 1573 - 1621 (Artist)
Exotic fruits and flowers were among the most highly
valued imported goods in Middelburg, the capital of
Zeeland and a regional office of the Dutch East India
Company. By the late 16th century, the city was known
for its spectacular gardens of blooms from around
the world. Bosschaert, an early pioneer of Dutch still-life painting, began his career in the early 1590s
depicting these rare blossoms. The popularity of such
paintings was growing among affluent botanical
enthusiasts who wanted to enjoy the beauty of seasonal
flowers throughout the year. The artist would have used
watercolor studies of the red-and-white flame tulips
as templates for the specimens in his composition. He
avoided overlapping the flowers to retain the individual
integrity of each specimen. Bosschaert’s inclusion
of a sprig of rosemary was perhaps intended to evoke
the pleasing odors that accompany the spectacular
colors, while the various insects and delicately rendered
vase showcase his talent for imitating a wider spectrum
of the natural world.
The Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III Collection
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