Artwork
A vase of flowers with shells on a ledge
A vase of flowers with shells on a ledge is an oil painting by Balthasar van der Ast. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
A vase of flowers with shells on a ledge is a still life painting created by Dutch artist Balthasar van der Ast in 1644 using oil paint.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a bouquet of flowers in shades of pink, white, and red alongside variously shaped and colored shells on a dark ledge, set against a warm, muted background.
Technique & Style
Van der Ast's work exemplifies the still life genre, a category in which he was a recognized practitioner, often incorporating elements like insects or lizards, though not in this instance.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar van der Ast (Middelburg, 1593/94 – Delft, 7 March 1657) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in still lifes of flowers and fruit, as well as painting a number of remarkable shell still lifes; he is…
