Artwork
Still Life with Snake and Lizard
Still Life with Snake and Lizard is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Otto Marseus van Schrieck. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Still Life with Snake and Lizard is a 1670 oil painting by Otto Marseus van Schrieck, a Dutch Golden Age artist known for depicting forest flora and fauna.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a red poppy plant with a coiled snake and lizard at its base, blending into the dark background. The contrast between the bright flower and dark surroundings creates a sense of depth and highlights the plant's prominence.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, draws attention to the poppy's vibrant color. The dark background and shadowy ground create a sense of atmosphere, while subtle details like a small box and scattered leaves add depth to the composition.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
A forest floor with a snake, lizards, butterflies and other insects
Landschap with insects, cyclamen and thistle
Forest floor still life with rodent
Forest floot still life with Diana and Actäon
Forest Floor with a Snake, Lizards, Butterflies and other Insects
Plants and Insects
Still Life with Thistle and Snake
Forest floor still life with thistle and rodent
