Artwork
Bouquet of Flowers on a Ledge
Bouquet of Flowers on a Ledge is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ambrosius Bosschaert. It is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1650 by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, this small‑scale still life is executed on a copper plate. It belongs to the Dutch Golden Age and presents a carefully arranged bouquet set upon a wooden ledge, rendered with a high degree of naturalistic detail.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a tall glass vase brimming with red and white roses, yellow tulips and vivid red poppies, accompanied by a resting butterfly, a seashell and a pinecone. The inclusion of diverse flora and fauna reflects the period’s fascination with the transience and beauty of nature.
Technique & Style
Bosschaert employed the smooth surface of copper to achieve fine brushwork and luminous colour, allowing subtle gradations of light across petals and leaves. The background recedes into a pale blue sky with distant architecture, while chiaroscuro modelling gives the flowers a three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
As one of the earliest painters to treat floral arrangements as an independent genre, Bosschaert’s work influenced a lineage of Dutch still‑life artists. The painting has remained in private and institutional collections since the 17th century, exemplifying the artist’s role as both painter and dealer.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder (18 January 1573 – 1621) was a Flemish-born Dutch still life painter and art dealer.
