Who painted Plants and Insects?

Plants and Insects was painted by Otto Marseus van Schrieck in 1665.

Where can I see Plants and Insects?

Plants and Insects is held by Mauritshuis.

What movement is Plants and Insects?

Plants and Insects is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Plants and Insects?

Museum-quality prints of Plants and Insects are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plants and Insects

Otto Marseus van Schrieck , 1665

Plants and Insects is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Otto Marseus van Schrieck. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.

About this work

Overview

Otto Marseus van Schrieck’s oil painting *Plants and Insects* was completed in 1665. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work belongs to the landscape genre and is part of the Mauritshuis collection. It presents a densely packed forest floor where flora and fauna intertwine, offering a detailed study of natural elements.

Subject & Meaning

The composition concentrates on a variety of small creatures—butterflies, other insects, a lizard and a snake—set among tangled stems, leaves and branches. By foregrounding these modest organisms, the artist draws attention to the hidden vitality of the woodland undergrowth, inviting contemplation of the interconnectedness of plant and animal life.

Technique & Style

Van Schrieck employs a restrained palette of deep greens for the foliage, contrasted with the warm yellows and browns of the butterflies. Careful modelling of light creates a chiaroscuro effect: illuminated leaves and insects glow against shadowed background, enhancing the three‑dimensional illusion and reinforcing the sense of immediacy.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Mauritshuis collection, where it remains on display. Its attribution to van Schrieck aligns with the artist’s known focus on forest subjects and his reputation for meticulous observation of natural detail during the mid‑17th century.

Context

*Plants and Insects* reflects a broader Dutch interest in scientific observation and the cataloguing of nature that flourished in the 1600s. Van Schrieck’s work parallels contemporary botanical studies and the rise of still‑life painting that emphasized realism and the study of light, contributing to the period’s rich visual documentation of the natural world.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Otto Marseus van Schrieck

Otto Marseus van Schrieck (ca. 1613, in Nijmegen – buried 22 June 1678, in Amsterdam) was a painter in the Dutch Golden Age. He is best known for his paintings of forest flora and fauna.