Artwork
Bouquet of Flowers in a Glass Vase
Bouquet of Flowers in a Glass Vase is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Davidsz. de Heem. It dates from 1693 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1693 by Dutch still-life specialist Maria van Oosterwijck, this oil painting presents a lush floral composition set within a transparent glass vase. The work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection and exemplifies the artist’s reputation for precise botanical rendering and vivid coloration.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas features a dense bouquet of roses, tulips and assorted smaller blossoms in reds, yellows and whites, spilling over the rim of the vase. Leaves and stems intertwine, some extending beyond the container, suggesting a natural abundance that celebrates the fleeting beauty of cultivated flowers.
Technique & Style
Van Oosterwijck employs a dark ground to heighten the luminosity of each petal, using delicate chiaroscuro to model light across surfaces. The glass vase is rendered with subtle reflections, while the varied textures of petals and foliage are achieved through fine brushwork, underscoring her meticulous approach to realism.
History & Provenance
Recognized during her lifetime for technical mastery in flower painting, van Oosterwijck’s oeuvre was highly regarded in the Dutch Golden Age. The painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst at an unspecified date, where it remains on display as a representative example of her contribution to the still-life genre.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maria van Oosterwijck (1630–1693), also spelled Oosterwyck, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, specialising in richly detailed flower paintings and other still lifes.
