Artwork
Rocky Floor with Flowers, Mushrooms, Butterflies, a Snail and a Thistle
Rocky Floor with Flowers, Mushrooms, Butterflies, a Snail and a Thistle 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 Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Rocky Floor with Flowers, Mushrooms, Butterflies, a Snail and a Thistle is a 1696 oil painting by Elias van den Broeck, a Dutch artist known for his still lifes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a rocky surface teeming with life, featuring a diverse array of flora and fauna, including flowers, mushrooms, a thistle, a snail, and butterflies in flight, creating a sense of lushness and abundance.
Technique & Style
The work showcases van den Broeck's naturalistic style, with detailed renderings of the subjects in vibrant colors, contrasting earthy tones with the delicate wings of the butterflies.
History & Provenance
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of rich artistic production in the Netherlands, the painting reflects van den Broeck's training in the Dutch Republic and his work in Antwerp and Amsterdam.
Context
Van den Broeck specialized in still lifes featuring flowers, fruit, and forest floors, and this work is characteristic of his focus on naturalistic subjects.
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…
