Artwork
Flower Piece
Flower Piece is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Barend van der Meer. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Barend van der Meer’s *Flower Piece* (1694) is an oil on canvas still‑life that assembles a variety of domestic objects around a central floral bouquet. The composition rests on a darkened tabletop, where a large painted vase, a reflective metal pitcher, a woven basket, a lemon‑topped plate, grapes, and scattered bowls create a balanced yet informal arrangement.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a typical Dutch vanitas motif, juxtaposing the transience of fresh flowers and fruit with the permanence of crafted vessels. The inclusion of a lemon, grapes, and a painted scene on the vase hints at themes of abundance and the fleeting nature of sensory pleasures, inviting contemplation of the passage of time.
Technique & Style
Van der Meer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing strong light to strike the metal pitcher and fruit while the surrounding darkness deepens the sense of volume. Meticulous brushwork captures the sheen of metal and the delicate translucency of petals, reflecting the influence of Willem Kalf’s sumptuous still‑lifes and the Haarlem school’s attention to surface texture.
History & Provenance
Born in Haarlem in 1659, van der Meer trained under his father and joined the local Guild of St. Luke before relocating to Amsterdam, where he produced works for a wealthy clientele. *Flower Piece* entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display as a representative example of late‑17th‑century Dutch still‑life painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barend van der Meer (1659–1700) was a Dutch Golden Age still life painter. Van der Meer was born and died in Haarlem. According to the RKD he was taught by his father Jan van der Meer I and became a member of the…
