Artwork
Still life with fountain and garland of flowers and fruit
Still life with fountain and garland of flowers and fruit is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicola van Houbraken. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Still life with fountain and garland of flowers and fruit is a 1720 oil painting by Nicola van Houbraken, a Flemish-descended late-Baroque painter active during the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a golden fountain with a smiling face, lavishly adorned with a overflowing garland of diverse flowers, fruit, and foliage in vibrant hues, conveying themes of abundance and joy.
Technique & Style
Van Houbraken's characteristic playful arrangement of natural elements and use of warm, vibrant colors (including green, yellow, orange, white, and purple) create a lively, dynamic composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1720, the work was admired by the Medici court in Florence and is now part of the Uffizi Gallery's collection.
Context
This piece exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age's influence on Flemish late-Baroque painting, with van Houbraken's specialization in garland still lifes reflecting contemporary artistic tastes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicola or Nicolino or Niccolino van Houbraken, also known as Nicolino Vanderbrach da Messina and Nicola Messinese (1660 – 1723) was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque who was of Flemish descent.
Flowers and the Bust of Pan
Fructe pe un piedestal antic cu Sfânta Familie
Fructe
A vase of flowers
Cartouche with fruit and flowers and wine glass
Fruits and flowers on a blue ribbon
Fruit and Flowers
Sculpted cartouche adorned with flowergarlands with the adoration of the Christ-child by the shepherds
Flowers
Still Life with Terms and a Bust of Ceres