Who painted Vase of Flowers?

Vase of Flowers was painted by Jan Davidsz de Heem in c. 1660.

Where can I see Vase of Flowers?

Vase of Flowers is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Vase of Flowers?

Vase of Flowers is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Vase of Flowers?

Museum-quality prints of Vase of Flowers are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Vase of Flowers by Jan Davidsz de Heem (c. 1660)

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left on parapet: J.D. De Heem f.

About this work

Technique & Style

The canvas support and oil medium are characteristic of the artist's practice during this period, allowing for the detailed rendering typical of the genre.

Jan Davidsz de Heem executed Vase of Flowers in 1645 using oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 69.6 cm in height and 56.5 cm in width. As a still life, the painting demonstrates the artist's handling of the medium to depict floral arrangements with precision.

The canvas support and oil medium are characteristic of the artist's practice during this period, allowing for the detailed rendering typical of the genre.

History & Provenance

Jan Davidsz. de Heem painted Vase of Flowers in 1645 in oil on canvas. The documented ownership chain begins with Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1808–1879) in London, from whom it passed by inheritance to his son Leopold de Rothschild (1845–1917), and then to Leopold's son Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882–1942) at Exbury, Hampshire. The painting descended to Edmund Leopold de Rothschild (1916–2009) at Exbury, who sold it in 1947 through Frank Partridge and Sons, London.

It subsequently passed to Mr. McIntosh of Bridge Allen, Scotland, before being handled by the William Hallsborough Gallery in London in 1958 and by Fritz Nathan and Peter Nathan in Zurich in 1959, followed by Paul Rosenberg & Co. in New York. The National Gallery of Art acquired the work on 17 May 1961, where it remains in the collection.

Jan Davidsz de Heem's Vase of Flowers (1645) is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work was acquired by the museum on 17 May 1961. Prior to its entry into the National Gallery, the painting passed through several significant private and commercial hands. It was originally part of the Rothschild family collection in London, descending through Baron Lionel Nathan de Rothschild to his descendants before being sold in 1947 to Frank Partridge and Sons.

The painting subsequently changed ownership among dealers and collectors in London, Zurich, and New York, including William Hallsborough Gallery, Fritz and Peter Nathan, and Paul Rosenberg & Co., before reaching its current institution.

The artwork's provenance includes a period in the collection of Mr. McIntosh at Bridge Allen, Scotland, as noted in dealer correspondence from 1959.

Overview

Jan Davidsz de Heem's Vase of Flowers, painted around 1660, is an oil on canvas still life. This composition showcases a vibrant and diverse floral arrangement, meticulously rendered on a tabletop. The painting exemplifies the artist's skill in depicting natural forms and textures, characteristic of Dutch Golden Age still-life painting.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork presents a rich bouquet featuring a variety of blossoms in shades of white, pink, red, orange, and blue, intertwined with lush leaves and stems. These elements are arranged to suggest a recently gathered collection, with some foliage overlapping naturally. The inclusion of small creatures like butterflies and a snail adds a dimension of natural observation, hinting at the transient beauty of life.

Context

This painting is a notable example of the Baroque movement, particularly within the Dutch Golden Age tradition of still-life painting. Artists of this period often explored themes of natural beauty, abundance, and the passage of time through detailed and often symbolic floral arrangements. De Heem's work reflects the era's fascination with botanical accuracy and the expressive potential of light and shadow.