Artwork
A Glass Vase with Flowers
A Glass Vase with Flowers is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Marrel. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Jacob Marrel’s 1652 oil painting, A Glass Vase with Flowers, presents a meticulously rendered still‑life composition. Executed during his period in Utrecht, the work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on domestic subjects, and it is now part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas centers on a dark‑toned glass vase brimming with vivid blossoms—purples, reds, and yellows—interspersed with nearly black foliage. A few minute insects rest on the shelf below, while the backdrop remains an unadorned, shadowy wall, emphasizing the fleeting beauty of the floral arrangement.
Technique & Style
Marrel renders each petal with precise attention to light, capturing subtle reflections on the glass and the translucency of the blossoms. The composition employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated petals against deep shadows to heighten realism and give the flowers a three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑17th century, the painting reflects Marrel’s German origins and his integration into the Utrecht artistic community. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display as a representative example of Dutch Golden Age still life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Marrel (1613/1614 – 11 November 1681) was a German still life painter active in Utrecht during the Dutch Golden Age.
