Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary

Jan van Kessel the Elder painted Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary in 1653 as an oil on copper work. The painting entered a private collection in Sweden by 1934 before being acquired by Richard Green of London. In July 1982 Paul Mellon purchased it for his Upperville, Virginia estate, and following his death it passed by inheritance to his wife Rachel Lambert Mellon.

After her death, the work was sold at Sotheby's New York on 10 November 2014 and subsequently bought by Johnny Van Haeften Ltd. in June 2018, leading to its current ownership by the National Gallery of Art.

The painting is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It was purchased by the museum on 29 June 2018 from Johnny Van Haeften, Ltd., having previously been in the collection of Paul Mellon and subsequently his wife Rachel Lambert Mellon, whose estate sold it at Sotheby's, New York, on 10 November 2014. No exhibition history is recorded in the provided sources.

The painting Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary by Jan van Kessel the Elder influenced later naturalist painters who incorporated detailed insect and botanical studies into their works, particularly in the 19th century. Its inclusion in the National Gallery of Art's collection has made it accessible for scholarly study of early Dutch still-life techniques, supporting ongoing research into 17th-century natural history illustration. The work's provenance, including its acquisition by Paul Mellon and subsequent sale at Sotheby's in 2014, highlights its continued relevance in the art market and conservation discourse.

The painting is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C.

Jan van Kessel the Elder’s 1653 work Insects and a Sprig of Rosemary is an oil painting executed on a copper support. The composition centers on a sprig of rosemary, its green leaves and blue‑tinted blossoms rendered with meticulous detail, while a variety of insects populate the surrounding space.

During the mid‑17th century, Flemish artists often combined artistic skill with scientific observation, producing works that served both decorative and educational purposes. Kessel’s painting aligns with this tradition, echoing the period’s fascination with cataloguing the natural world.