Artwork
Still Life of Flowers
Still Life of Flowers is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pieter Faes. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Groeningemuseum.
About this work
Overview
Pieter Faes, a Flemish artist active around the turn of the 19th century, painted this oil work in 1798. The composition presents a richly arranged still life, centered on a large vase brimming with assorted blossoms and accompanied by grapes and tomatoes, set against a dark backdrop that heightens the vivid hues.
Subject & Meaning
The tableau combines white and pink roses, scarlet poppies, and diminutive blue‑yellow flowers, suggesting a celebration of seasonal abundance. The inclusion of fruit, grapes and tomatoes, adds a modest reminder of harvest, while the careful placement on a shelf creates a sense of domestic elegance.
Technique & Style
Faes employs a delicate glazing technique, layering translucent oil to achieve depth and a luminous surface. Meticulous rendering of light on petals and leaves, as well as the visible dew on the grapes, demonstrates his attention to naturalistic detail within a decorative, Rococo‑inspired framework.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Groeningemuseum, where it remains on display. Its stylistic affinities link it to the decorative tradition of Jan van Huysum, reflecting the broader Flemish still‑life practice of the late 18th century.
Context
Created during a period when Flemish artists were revisiting and adapting the lavish ornamental qualities of the Rococo, Faes’s work exemplifies the era’s fascination with botanical accuracy and decorative excess, merging scientific observation with aesthetic pleasure.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Faes or Peeter Faes (14 July 1750 – 22 December 1814) was a Flemish painter of still lifes of flowers and fruit. He worked in a decorative style close to that of Jan van Huysum.
