This painting by Rachel Ruysch seems to depict a scene of unspoilt nature, but it actually mainly shows cultivated flowers. Floral still life usually symbolises the transience of life, and with that its vanity (vanitas), but this painting also reflects a great interest in and love for the variety in nature by the artist. Ruysch spends a lot of attention to the animals such as the flying stag beetle, butterfly and snail.
The fairly large size shows how the artist capitalises on the growing interest at the time for large, decorative paintings. Remarkable is the fact that, at the time, this painting brought in more money than Rembrandt’s work did.
Specifications
| Title | Tree Trunk surrounded by Flowers, Butterflies and Animals |
|---|---|
| Material and technique | Oil on canvas |
| Object type |
Painting
> Painting
> Two-dimensional object
> Art object
|
| Location | This object is travelling |
| Dimensions |
Width 82 cm Height 99 cm |
|---|---|
| Artists |
Painter:
Rachel Ruysch
|
| Accession number | 1751 (OK) |
| Credits | Purchased 1854 |
| Department | Old Masters |
| Acquisition date | 1854 |
| Creation date | in 1685 |
| Internal exhibitions |
De collectie als tijdmachine (2017) Lievelingen (2024) |
| External exhibitions |
Linnaeus and Glimpses of Paradise (2022) In Volle Bloei (2022) Onderkruipsels (2022) Rachel Ruysch. Nature into Art (2024) |
| Material | |
| Object | |
| Geographical origin | Northern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe |
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