Artwork
Vanitas Still Life with a Sunflower
Vanitas Still Life with a Sunflower is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Davidsz. de Heem. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
This painting is a still life by Maria van Oosterwijck. It's called Vanitas Still Life with a Sunflower.
The painting was created in 1674. It's an example of Dutch Golden Age painting, which is a notable part of art history. The Rijksmuseum purchased it in 2023 for a significant amount, adding it to their collection.
You can learn more about the artist, Maria van Oosterwijck.
Overview
Vanitas Still Life with a Sunflower is a circa 1675 oil on canvas painting by Dutch artist Maria van Oosterwijck. The Rijksmuseum acquired it in 2023 for €1.3 million, marking their first work by the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The painting is a vanitas still life, featuring a sunflower, jewelry box, and other objects that symbolize the transience of life. A handwritten note and tablets with the Ten Commandments in Hebrew lettering add to the composition's symbolic depth.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Van Oosterwijck's skill in rendering various textures and executing precise perspective, influenced by her teacher Jan Davidsz. de Heem. Objects are arranged in a triangular form on a plinth, creating a sense of depth.
History & Provenance
The painting's early provenance is unknown, but its size and format are consistent with still life paintings created for prominent art cabinets during Van Oosterwijck's time.
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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.
