Who painted Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac?

Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac was painted by Otto Marseus van Schrieck in 1650.

Where can I see Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac?

Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac is held by Brukenthal National Museum.

What movement is Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac?

Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac

Otto Marseus van Schrieck , 1650

Șarpe și fluturi la rădăcina unui copac is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Otto Marseus van Schrieck. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Brukenthal National Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650 by Otto Marseus van Schrieck, a Dutch painter noted for his meticulous studies of woodland life, this oil painting depicts a quiet forest scene centered on the base of a tree. The composition gathers a snake, several butterflies, a mushroom and scattered leaf litter, all rendered with close observation of natural forms.

Subject & Meaning

The work concentrates on the interaction of small creatures within a damp, shadowed understory. A coiled snake lies beside three butterflies—two bearing orange‑black patterns and one of a pale, almost golden tone—suggesting a fleeting moment of coexistence among species that typically occupy different ecological niches.

Technique & Style

Van Schrieck employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep, enveloping shadows to isolate the brightly colored insects, which appear as luminous points against the dark ground. The fine brushwork captures the texture of bark, mushroom caps and decaying foliage, reflecting the artist’s commitment to detailed natural observation characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age.

History & Provenance

The painting originates from the mid‑17th‑century Dutch market, where van Schrieck’s specialized forest studies were sought after by collectors interested in scientific illustration and decorative art. Though its early ownership records are sparse, the piece has remained within European collections, illustrating the lasting appeal of his precise botanical and zoological renderings.

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.