Artwork

Basket of flowers and fruit

Basket of flowers and fruit, by Wybrand Hendriks, oil
Basket of flowers and fruit, by Wybrand Hendriks, oil

Basket of flowers and fruit is an oil painting by Wybrand Hendriks. It is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Wybrand Hendriks, a Dutch painter active in the late 18th century, produced an oil painting titled *Basket of Flowers and Fruit*. The work depicts a wicker basket brimming with a variety of blossoms and ripe produce, rendered with careful attention to texture and colour. The piece is currently displayed in the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a woven basket overflowing with pink and white flowers, green and purple grapes, and yellow‑orange peaches, accompanied by leaves and stems. The arrangement celebrates the abundance of nature and the tactile qualities of everyday objects, reflecting a tradition of still‑life that emphasizes both visual pleasure and the transience of fresh produce.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, Hendriks employs a luminous palette that enhances the richness of the fruit and the delicate translucency of the petals. Fine brushwork captures the weave of the wicker and the subtle variations in surface texture, while layered glazes create depth and a sense of three‑dimensionality within the still‑life.

History & Provenance

After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of Dutch art. Hendriks, later appointed concierge of the Teylers Museum, is better known for portraiture, making this still‑life a notable example of his broader artistic range.

Context

The work belongs to the Dutch still‑life tradition that flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, where artists often assembled carefully chosen objects to explore themes of prosperity, mortality, and the sensory experience of the viewer. Hendriks’ rendering aligns with this lineage while displaying a personal sensitivity to colour and material.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Wybrand Hendriks

Artist

Wybrand Hendriks

Wybrand Hendriks (June 24, 1744 – January 28, 1831) was a Dutch painter, primarily known for his portraits, and the concierge of the Teylers Museum.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Fitzwilliam Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.