Artwork
mazzo di fiori con frutti, pappagallo e uno specchio
mazzo di fiori con frutti, pappagallo e uno specchio is an unspecified painting by Bartolomeo Bimbi. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1696, this still‑life by Florentine artist Bartolomeo Bimbi assembles a lush bouquet of flowers, assorted fruit, and a vividly colored parrot, all reflected in a modest mirror. The composition exemplifies the meticulous naturalism for which Bimbi was known, and it now belongs to the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes botanical and zoological elements—spring blossoms, ripe produce, and an exotic bird—to showcase the diversity of nature within a single frame. The mirror not only expands the visual field but also invites contemplation of perception, suggesting a dialogue between the observed world and its representation.
Technique & Style
Bimbi employs a precise, almost scientific rendering of textures, from the delicate petals to the glossy plumage of the parrot. Layered glazes create depth and subtle chiaroscuro, while the careful placement of objects follows a balanced, almost diagrammatic arrangement typical of late Baroque still‑life painting in Tuscany.
History & Provenance
The painting was executed on commission for Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici, who collected works that documented the natural riches of his domains. It originally adorned the Medici estates of Villa dell’Ambrogiana and Villa della Topaia before entering the Uffizi’s holdings, where it remains on public display.
Context
Bimbi’s career unfolded during a period when the Medici court promoted scientific inquiry and the cataloguing of flora and fauna. His still‑lifes served both decorative and documentary purposes, reflecting the broader Enlightenment interest in classification and the patronage of aristocratic collectors eager to showcase their wealth of natural curiosities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomeo Bimbi (15 May 1648 – 1729) was a Florentine (so from what was then the Grand Duchy of Tuscany) painter of still lifes, commissioned by his patrons including Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany to paint large…
