Artwork
Flower Still Life
Flower Still Life is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ambrosius Bosschaert. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition is enlivened by the inclusion of insects, specifically a butterfly and an anisoptera, which interact with the flora.
Ambrosius Bosschaert's 1614 Flower Still Life presents a dense bouquet arranged on a stone ledge, featuring specific botanical elements such as tulips, roses, Dianthus caryophyllus, and forget-me-nots. The composition is enlivened by the inclusion of insects, specifically a butterfly and an anisoptera, which interact with the flora. While the work is classified strictly as a still life, the precise assembly of these distinct species and the presence of the insects suggest a focus on the detailed observation of nature rather than a purely decorative arrangement.
The painting captures a moment of natural abundance, showcasing the variety and texture of the depicted flowers and creatures.
Technique & Style
This painting is executed on a thin copper support using oil paint, a technique that allowed the artist to achieve fine detail and luminous color. The work measures 30.5 cm in height and 38.9 cm in width, and depicts a bouquet of tulips, Dianthus caryophyllus, roses, and forget-me-nots alongside a butterfly and an insect, rendered with precise brushwork and delicate handling. The composition reflects a balanced, formal arrangement characteristic of early 17th‑century still‑life painting, emphasizing clarity of line and subtle tonal variation. The surface condition remains stable, with no visible damage or restoration noted in the documentation.
History & Provenance
Flower Still Life is a copper painting created in 1614 by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder. It was owned by Carl S. Mahler before entering the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, where it remains on display at the Getty Center.
The work measures 30.5 cm in height by 38.9 cm in width and depicts a bouquet of tulips, roses, and forget‑me‑nots with a butterfly and other insects.
Its creation date of 1614 is documented in the Getty provenance records.
The Flower Still Life by Ambrosius Bosschaert is held at the Getty Center in Los Angeles as part of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection. The work, executed in 1614 on copper, is accessioned under the museum's inventory for this specific painting. Prior to its current residence, the painting was owned by Carl S. Mahler.
The source material does not list specific past or future exhibition dates or catalogues for this work, limiting the recorded exhibition history to its current institutional holding.
Legacy
The painting's technical precision and vibrant palette established a model for later Dutch flower painters, inspiring artists such as Jan Davidsz. de Heem and Rachel Ruysch. Its early documentation in the collection of Carl S. Mahler highlighted a growing market interest in botanical works, contributing to the genre's elevated status in the 17th-century art market.
Overview
Flower Still Life is a 1614 painting on copper by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, a Flemish-born Dutch artist known for his detailed floral still lifes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder (18 January 1573 – 1621) was a Flemish-born Dutch still life painter and art dealer.
