Who painted Vase of flowers?

Vase of flowers was painted by Simon Hardimé in 1714.

Where can I see Vase of flowers?

Vase of flowers is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

Artwork

Vase of flowers

Vase of flowers is an oil painting by Simon Hardimé. It dates from 1714 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Created circa 1714, this oil painting presents a modestly arranged bouquet within a simple vase.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1714, this oil painting presents a modestly arranged bouquet within a simple vase. The composition centers on a selection of roses, peonies and morning glories, rendered in soft pinks, whites and blues against a deep, almost black background. The subdued palette and restrained lighting give the work a calm, intimate atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on the natural beauty of cultivated flowers, emphasizing their delicate forms and varied textures. By allowing stems and leaves to spill beyond the rim, the artist suggests a sense of organic growth and the fleeting nature of bloom, inviting quiet contemplation of everyday elegance.

Technique & Style

Hardimé employs a refined oil technique characteristic of early‑18th‑century Flemish still lifes. Thin, translucent glazes build subtle colour shifts, while careful brushwork captures the velvety petals and glossy leaves. The dark ground heightens contrast, allowing the muted hues to emerge with a luminous softness.

History & Provenance

The work was produced by Simon Hardimé, a Flemish‑Walloon artist trained in Antwerp who later worked in the Dutch Republic before settling in London. It entered the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of European decorative painting.

Context

Hardimé’s floral pieces catered to the tastes of bourgeois patrons in Brussels and Antwerp as well as aristocratic collectors in the Netherlands and England. This painting reflects the period’s interest in naturalistic yet decorative representations of flora, a genre that enjoyed popularity across the Low Countries and England during the early 1700s.