Six Butterflies and a Moth on a Rose Branch (Sept Papillions sur une Branche de Rosier) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist William Gouw Ferguson. It is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Six Butterflies and a Moth on a Rose Branch is an oil painting created by William Gouw Ferguson in 1696. It is a still life held at the Scottish National Gallery.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts seven insects – six butterflies and one moth – on a dark rose branch with wet leaves. The butterflies have bright orange and white wings with black spots, while the moth is brown and fuzzy.
Technique & Style
Ferguson's realistic rendering of the insects creates a sense of lifelike movement. The contrast between light and dark, achieved through chiaroscuro, highlights the colors of the butterflies' wings against the dark background.
Flowers, Lizard and Butterflies, Christiaen Striep
