Artwork
Flora and Zephyr
Flora and Zephyr is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jacob de Wit. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1743, *Flora and Zephyr* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Jacob de Wit, whose career combined painting with interior decoration and a focus on religious subjects. The work belongs to the Rococo period and is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a mythological scene in which a woman, identified as Flora, the goddess of flowers, holds a bouquet while a gentle breeze, personified by Zephyr, circulates around her. Small, winged figures drift in the sky, reinforcing the sense of a light, airy atmosphere that celebrates nature’s renewal.
Technique & Style
De Wit employs a polished, almost porcelain-like surface, achieved through smooth brushwork that merges tones without visible strokes. A restrained palette of pale blues and greens forms the background, while the vivid red of Flora’s dress provides a focal contrast. The handling of light and shadow creates subtle depth, characteristic of Rococo’s elegant delicacy.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has remained on display. Its provenance reflects the 18th‑century taste for decorative mythological subjects among European aristocracy.
Context
Jacob de Wit is better known for ceiling and wall decorations featuring allegorical and religious motifs. *Flora and Zephyr* demonstrates his ability to translate that decorative sensibility onto a portable canvas, aligning with the Rococo fascination for playful mythological narratives and the era’s preference for pastel atmospheres.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob de Wit (19 December 1695 – 12 November 1754) was a Dutch painter and interior decorator. He is best known for his depictions of religious scenes.
