Artwork

Stor blomsterbuket i en vase. I forgrunden frugter, til venstre en papegøje

Stor blomsterbuket i en vase. I forgrunden frugter, til venstre en papegøje is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Ernst Heinrich Løffler. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Ernst Heinrich Løffler’s 1767 oil painting presents a lavish still life centered on an elaborate vase brimming with an assortment of blossoms. The composition is enriched by surrounding fruit and a vividly colored parrot, creating a tableau of abundance that exemplifies the decorative sensibilities of its period.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes cultivated flora—white and pink flowers—with a selection of ripe grapes, apples, and pears, suggesting themes of fertility and the pleasures of the senses. The perched parrot, rendered in bright tones, introduces a lively element that balances the static arrangement of the vase and fruit.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, Løffler employs layered brushwork to achieve a tactile sense of depth, allowing the petals and fruit skins to appear three‑dimensional. The careful modulation of light across the surfaces highlights texture, while the rich palette underscores the luxurious atmosphere of the scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1767, the painting entered the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving eighteenth‑century European still‑life traditions.

Context

Løffler’s composition aligns with the broader European still‑life genre, which often celebrated material wealth and the transience of nature. The inclusion of exotic birds, such as the parrot, mirrors contemporary fascination with global trade and the incorporation of foreign motifs into domestic art.