Artwork
Flowers in a blue and white porcelain vase
Flowers in a blue and white porcelain vase is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ambrosius Bosschaert. It dates from 1609 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is classified as a floral painting and was executed in 1609 on a mahogany panel by Ambrosius Bosschaert, now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
The painting shows a richly varied bouquet of flowers, including forget‑me‑not, cyclamen, rosemary, calendula, violet, aquilegia, anemone, narcissus, hyacinth, tulip, carnation, rose, lily, erysimum, as well as a butterfly and a beetle, arranged in a blue‑and‑white porcelain vase. These botanically identified species illustrate the artist’s interest in natural observation and the popularity of exotic porcelain containers in early‑17th‑century Dutch‑Flemish still lifes. The work is classified as a floral painting and was executed in 1609 on a mahogany panel by Ambrosius Bosschaert, now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Technique & Style
This panel painting employs oil on mahogany wood support, executed in 1609. The artist rendered delicate blossoms with meticulous precision, arranging them around a prominently displayed blue-and-white porcelain vase whose cobalt motifs echo contemporary Delft wares. Thin, luminous glazes capture the translucency of petals and the sheen of foliage, while a cool northern light models each form with subtle chiaroscuro.
The composition balances symmetrical bouquet structure against subtle asymmetry in leaf placement, and a painted red admiral butterfly and caterpillar introduce naturalistic anecdote. Handling shows fine, dry brushwork in petal edges and wet-in-wet transitions in backgrounds, indicating a controlled studio practice typical of Bosschaert’s early career. The mahogany panel remains stable with an intact ground layer, though minor drying cracks appear in the upper right quadrant.
History & Provenance
The painting Flowers in a blue and white porcelain vase (1609) by Ambrosius Bosschaert is documented as part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. The work is dated to 1609, the year of its creation, and is executed in oil on mahogany wood panel. The painting’s provenance traces directly to the museum’s holdings, where it has remained since acquisition.
No documented commission or earlier ownership history is recorded in available sources, and the work has not been associated with a specific patron or original commissioning context.
The painting Flowers in a blue and white porcelain vase, created by Ambrosius Bosschaert in 1609, is currently held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The work is executed in oil on a mahogany wood panel and measures 50.2 cm in height by 37.3 cm in width. While the museum is identified as the owner and location, the provided sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation contains no information regarding the artwork's exhibition history or past public displays. The painting remains part of the museum's holdings, categorized within the genre of floral painting.
Overview
This painting, titled Flowers in a blue and white porcelain vase, presents a lush floral arrangement. A tall, patterned vase holds a profusion of blossoms, overflowing its rim and dominating the composition. The artwork is characterized by its vivid palette and the careful depiction of natural elements, creating an impression of abundance and detailed observation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder (18 January 1573 – 1621) was a Flemish-born Dutch still life painter and art dealer.
