Artwork
Still Life with a Snake
Still Life with a Snake is an oil painting by Elias van den Broeck. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with a Snake is a painting created by Elias van den Broeck around 1690, exemplifying the still life genre. It is an oil painting that showcases the artist's skill in depicting a complex arrangement of natural elements.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a diverse array of flora and fauna, including a snake coiled around a plant stem, set against a dark background. The inclusion of various insects and small animals adds to the dynamic composition, suggesting a vibrant ecosystem.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, with the light falling on the snake's scales to convey texture. The varied shades of green used for the plants, along with white and yellow flowers, demonstrate the artist's attention to detail and color.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elias van den Broeck (c. 1652 in probably in Amsterdam – buried 6 February 1708 in Amsterdam) was a Dutch still life painter mainly known for his flower pieces. He trained in the Dutch Republic and worked for some time…
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Plants and Insects
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