Artwork
A Bouquet of Flowers in a Crystal Vase
A Bouquet of Flowers in a Crystal Vase is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes van Verendael. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a crystal vase filled with a loosely arranged bouquet of assorted flowers, rendered in oil on canvas in 1662 by Nicolaes van Verendael.
The painting shows a crystal vase filled with a loosely arranged bouquet of assorted flowers, rendered in oil on canvas in 1662 by Nicolaes van Verendael. The work belongs to the Dutch still‑life genre, and the sources identify it as depicting a vase, flower and overall still‑life composition. By concentrating attention on the translucency of the crystal and the varied textures of the blooms, the image exemplifies the period’s interest in the visual study of light, materiality and the fleeting abundance of nature. Its subject therefore functions as a study of object arrangement rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 49.5 cm in height by 40.3 cm in width, a modest scale typical of Dutch and Flemish cabinet still lifes of the period. The medium of oil on canvas allowed Nicolaes van Verendael to render the bouquet with fine detail and layered translucency, suited to the depiction of a crystal vase and an arrangement of flowers. The painting is classified as a still life and held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.
History & Provenance
A Bouquet of Flowers in a Crystal Vase is an oil‑on‑canvas still life painted by Nicolaes van Verendael in 1662. The composition shows a crystal vase filled with assorted blossoms, rendered in the Dutch Golden Age style, and measures 49.5 by 40.3 centimeters. The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. No specific accession number, acquisition date, or exhibition history is recorded in the available sources.
Context
The 1662 oil painting by Nicolaes van Verendael exemplifies Dutch 17th‑century floral still‑life production, a genre characterized by meticulous rendering of flowers and decorative objects. Its composition of a bouquet within a crystal vase reflects contemporary fascination with botanical detail and the luxury of glassware. The work is catalogued in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, indicating its later acquisition and scholarly interest as part of the artist’s oeuvre focused on flower subjects.
As a representative example of the period’s still‑life genre, it contributes to the historical narrative of Dutch painting’s emphasis on everyday opulence and natural observation.
Overview
Nicolaes van Verendael, a Flemish artist active in Antwerp during the mid-17th century, created A Bouquet of Flowers in a Crystal Vase in 1662. This oil painting exemplifies his specialization in still life compositions, particularly intricate floral arrangements. The work presents a vibrant collection of blossoms contained within a transparent vessel, reflecting the artistic trends of the Dutch Golden Age. It is currently housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes van Verendael or Nicolaes van Veerendael (1640 in Antwerp – 1691 in Antwerp) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp who is mainly known for his flower paintings and vanitas still lifes.
