Artwork
Flowers in a Vase
Flowers in a Vase is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Philip van Kouwenbergh. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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- Inscribed:lower right: [P] Kouwe[]be[]h
About this work
A clear glass vase holds bright pink and red flowers, their petals soft and velvety against a plain, dark background that makes the colors stand out. Such simple arrangements were rare in 1700 Dutch still life, where most artists packed their canvases with extra objects. Here the focus stays on the blooms and the clear glass, the light catching its edge.
Subject & Meaning
Philip van Kouwenbergh's 1700 oil painting, Flowers in a Vase, is a still life work that depicts a floral arrangement contained within a vessel.
Philip van Kouwenbergh's 1700 oil painting, Flowers in a Vase, is a still life work that depicts a floral arrangement contained within a vessel. The composition focuses on the visual presentation of flowers, adhering to the conventions of the still-life genre. The provided sources do not contain specific details regarding the particular species of flowers shown, nor do they elaborate on any deeper iconographic meanings, symbolic interpretations, or allegorical representations associated with the arrangement.
Technique & Style
Philip van Kouwenbergh's Flowers in a Vase, executed in 1700, is an oil painting on canvas support. The work measures 67 centimeters in height and 51 centimeters in width. Classified as a still life, the piece depicts a floral arrangement in a vase, utilizing oil paint to render the subject matter. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., currently holds the work.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1700 by Philip van Kouwenbergh. Its early provenance is unclear, but it was likely inherited by Viscount de Beughem of Brussels. The work subsequently passed by inheritance to his niece, Mary Eula Mason Blair (1906–1983), and her husband, William Draper Blair (1902–1993), of Washington, D.C. In 1976, the Blairs gifted the painting to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains in the collection.
Context
Philip van Kouwenbergh's Flowers in a Vase (1700) is an oil-on-canvas still life depicting a floral arrangement in a vase, reflecting the artist's focus on floral subjects. The work belongs to the early 18th-century Dutch-Flemish tradition of flower painting, a genre documented in its classification as a still life. Its provenance traces from inheritance by the Viscount de Beughem in Brussels to his niece Mary Eula Mason Blair and her husband, and finally to a 1976 gift to the National Gallery of Art.
The painting's inclusion in the National Gallery's collection highlights its scholarly significance as a representative example of van Kouwenbergh's oeuvre.
Overview
Philip van Kouwenbergh's "Flowers in a Vase," painted around 1700, is an oil on canvas still life. This work presents a focused study of floral elements, distinguishing itself through its directness. The composition highlights a single arrangement within a transparent vessel, rendered with careful attention to detail and light. It offers a glimpse into early 18th-century Dutch painting, showcasing a particular approach to the genre.
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