Artwork
Flowers
Flowers is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Elias van den Broeck. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work’s composition and subject matter underscore the Dutch Golden Age fascination with the intersection of beauty, transience, and the natural world.
The painting depicts a lush still-life arrangement of flowers, including roses and poppies, alongside natural elements such as a nest with an egg, a snail, and foliage. These components reflect the 17th-century Dutch vanitas tradition, where transient life and the beauty of nature are juxtaposed with symbols of mortality and renewal.
The inclusion of the snail and the nest with an egg further emphasizes themes of fragility and the fleeting nature of existence, while the vibrant blooms highlight the ephemeral quality of life. The work’s composition and subject matter underscore the Dutch Golden Age fascination with the intersection of beauty, transience, and the natural world.
Technique & Style
Elias van den Broeck's Flowers, created in 1690, is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The work measures 570 cm in width and is part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst. The composition depicts a detailed still life arrangement featuring various flowers, specifically identified as roses and poppies, alongside natural elements such as a leaf, a snail, and a nest containing an egg.
The handling of the oil medium allows for the precise rendering of these botanical and zoological subjects within the formal structure of the painting.
History & Provenance
The oil painting Flowers was created by the Dutch artist Elias van den Broeck in 1690. Executed on canvas, the work depicts a floral arrangement accompanied by a nest, an egg, a snail, and various leaves and blossoms including roses and poppies. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains located.
No specific details regarding the work's original commission or its ownership history prior to entering the museum's collection are provided in the available records.
The painting Flowers by Elias van den Broeck is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1690, this oil on canvas work measures 57 cm in width and depicts a floral arrangement alongside a nest, egg, and snail. The source material does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor does it list any exhibition history.
Overview
Elias van den Broeck's Flowers, an oil painting from 1696, exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age tradition of still life. This composition features a vibrant floral arrangement, complemented by elements such as an egg, a leaf, and a small nest. The artist, known for his detailed botanical works, created this piece, which is now part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Context
Elias van den Broeck was a prominent still life painter during the late 17th century, a period known as the Dutch Golden Age. His training in the Dutch Republic and subsequent work in Antwerp, notably under the influential Jan Davidsz. de Heem, shaped his specialization in detailed flower pieces and other still life subjects. This painting reflects the era's appreciation for naturalistic depictions and skilled artistry.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elias van den Broeck (c. 1652 in probably in Amsterdam – buried 6 February 1708 in Amsterdam) was a Dutch still life painter mainly known for his flower pieces. He trained in the Dutch Republic and worked for some time…
