Who painted Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten?

Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten was painted by Magdalena van den Hecken in 1642.

Where can I see Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten?

Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

Artwork

Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten

Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten is an oil painting by Magdalena van den Hecken. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1642, this oil painting by Magdalena van den Hecken depicts two studies of insects, forming part of a series of eight insect studies. The work is part of the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it is displayed among other examples of 17th‑century Dutch still life.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on close‑up renderings of insects, emphasizing their delicate forms and textures. By isolating the creatures from any surrounding context, the artist invites close observation, reflecting the period’s interest in natural detail and the scientific curiosity of the Dutch Golden Age.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting demonstrates van den Hecken’s precise brushwork and subtle modelling of light on the insects’ exoskeletons. The muted palette and careful handling of surface sheen are characteristic of mid‑17th‑century Dutch still‑life techniques.

History & Provenance

The work has been attributed to Magdalena van den Hecken, a Dutch painter active in the early 1640s. It entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, where it remains catalogued under its German title, “Zwei Insektenstudien. 8 Insekten.”