Artwork
Still Life with a Vase of Flowers and a Puppy
Still Life with a Vase of Flowers and a Puppy is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Juan van der Hamen. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with a Vase of Flowers and a Puppy is an oil painting created by Juan van der Hamen in 1625, characteristic of the early Baroque period. It belongs to the still life genre, which the artist helped popularize in 17th-century Madrid.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a serene domestic scene featuring a vase of vibrant flowers (including sunflowers and tulips), a plate of bread and fruit on a dark green tablecloth, and a puppy playing with an apple on the floor. The composition highlights everyday objects and textures, inviting quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
The work employs a predominantly dark color palette, with strategic splashes of color from the flowers and puppy. This contrast creates a sense of depth and focal points within the serene atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1625 by Juan van der Hamen, the painting is now part of the Museo del Prado's collection in Madrid, reflecting the artist's influence on the still life genre in the region.
Context
Part of the early Baroque period, this piece exemplifies the growing interest in still life paintings during the 1620s in Madrid, where van der Hamen was a key figure alongside his work in other genres like landscapes and religious art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Juan van der Hamen y (Gómez de) León (baptized 8 April 1596 – 28 March 1631) was a Spanish painter, a master of still life paintings, also called bodegones.
