Artwork
Still Life with Roses
Still Life with Roses 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 Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Elias van den Broeck, a Dutch painter active in the late 1600s, completed the oil work Still Life with Roses in 1696. The composition presents a solitary stem bearing three roses and a few buds, set against a deep black backdrop that resembles velvet. The piece exemplifies the meticulous flower studies for which the artist is known.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif is a bouquet of roses, a recurring theme in van den Broeck’s oeuvre. The largest bloom displays a pale pink hue edged with soft red, while the two smaller flowers are rendered in richer orange tones. Fallen petals and dark green foliage add a sense of natural imperfection, inviting contemplation of transience in botanical subjects.
Technique & Style
Van den Broeck employs a chiaroscuro effect, allowing light to strike individual petals and create luminous highlights that contrast sharply with the velvety black background. The careful modulation of light and shadow enhances the texture of each bloom and leaf, while the dark ground intensifies the saturation of the rose colors.
History & Provenance
Trained in the Dutch Republic, van den Broeck spent a period in Antwerp working under Jan Davidsz. de Heem before returning to Amsterdam, where he produced most of his known works. Still Life with Roses belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, a time of prolific artistic production, and reflects the period’s fascination with detailed, naturalistic still lifes.
Own this work as a print
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…
