Artwork
Flowers and Insects
Flowers and Insects is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Jan van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1662 by Jan van Kessel the Elder, this copper painting depicts a meticulously arranged still life of blossoms and small creatures. Executed in Antwerp, the work belongs to the artist’s extensive output of naturalistic studies that combine botanical and entomological observation.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents pink and white flowers set among green foliage, accompanied by a variety of insects—a butterfly, beetles, and a snail shell—rendered with scientific precision. The juxtaposition of flora and fauna reflects a 17th‑century interest in cataloguing nature’s diversity within a single, harmonious tableau.
Technique & Style
Painted on a copper support, the piece benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing fine brushwork and luminous color modulation. Van Kessel employs the detailed naturalism characteristic of the Northern Renaissance, achieving depth through subtle shading and careful placement of each element.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Ashmolean Museum’s collection, where it remains on display. Its attribution to van Kessel aligns with his known practice of producing highly finished still lifes for the Flemish market during the mid‑17th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Kessel the Elder or Jan van Kessel (I) (baptized 5 April 1626, Antwerp – 17 April 1679, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp in the mid-17th century.
