Artwork
Still life with flowers in a glass vase
Still life with flowers in a glass vase is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Davidsz. de Heem. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Jan Davidsz.
About this work
Technique & Style
de Heem, likely in collaboration with Rachel Ruysch, and is part of the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop, housed in the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum.
The painting is executed in oil on copper, a support commonly used by Dutch Golden Age masters for its smooth finish and durability. It measures 54.5 cm in height by 36.5 cm in width, reflecting the modest scale typical of early 18th-century floral still lifes. The composition features a tightly arranged bouquet rendered with meticulous brushwork, showcasing the artist’s skill in depicting texture and light.
The work was created by Jan Davidsz. de Heem, likely in collaboration with Rachel Ruysch, and is part of the collection of Adriaan van der Hoop, housed in the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum.
Overview
Jan Davidsz. de Heem’s Still life with flowers in a glass vase (1700) is a copper painting that exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with elaborate still‑life arrangements. The composition centers on a richly colored bouquet set in a transparent vessel, rendered against a darkened backdrop that heightens the visual impact of the flowers.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a varied assortment of blossoms, reds, pinks, whites and yellows, grouped in a clear glass vase placed on a simple surface. By juxtaposing delicate petals with bold hues, de Heem celebrates the fleeting beauty of nature while also alluding to the period’s symbolic interest in transience and abundance.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the 18th century, the piece entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it remains on public display. Its provenance reflects the museum’s focus on Dutch Golden Age works and underscores de Heem’s reputation as a leading still‑life painter of his time.
Context
During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Dutch artists refined still‑life painting into a genre that combined scientific observation with decorative appeal. De Heem’s oeuvre, characterized by sumptuous arrangements and careful rendering of texture, aligns with this tradition, illustrating the era’s interest in material wealth and natural study.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Maria van Oosterwijck (1630–1693), also spelled Oosterwyck, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, specialising in richly detailed flower paintings and other still lifes.
