Cerchia Di Jan Van Huysum, Still Life Flowers, 1750, Oil on Canvas

Details

Description

Vase of flowers with butterflies in a niche
circle of jan van huysum (amsterdam 1682 - 1749)

oil on canvas

… Read more Vase of flowers with butterflies in a niche
circle of jan van huysum (amsterdam 1682 - 1749)

oil on canvas

64 x 52 cm - framed 85 x 71 cm.

full details of this painting (click here)

this sumptuous floral still life, arranged by the artist within a curved stone niche, is a valuable painting attributed to the circle of the renowned dutch master jan van huysum (amsterdam 1682 - 1749).

the composition reflects the typical canons of the so-called pronkstilleven, a dutch term that became popular in the 18th century and literally means "sumptuous still life," of which van huysum is one of the leading european exponents.

the scene is dominated by a classic burnished terracotta vase decorated in relief and placed on a solid stone surface; it contains a complex composition of various floral species, arranged in an asymmetrical, vibrant, and dynamic structure, overflowing from the vase.

the juxtaposition of botanical species blooming in different seasons stands out, a compositional feature adopted by masters of this genre as if to transcend the temporal limits of nature. In the foreground, a large white tulip with dark blue streaks dominates, its disheveled petals catching the light. On the left, soft roses (including the famous rosa centifolia, also known as the "painter's rose") open in shades of pure white and candy pink, painted with soft, glossy petals. Slender stems of carnations with jagged petals in shades of pink and bright red rise above, alongside supple branches of blue bellflowers and white daffodils positioned right at the heart of the bouquet.

the artist plays with a strong chiaroscuro, with a powerful light coming from the left that fully illuminates the iridescent corollas, leaving the right side and the back of the niche in shadow.

granting poetry to our still life are three butterflies, gracefully perched on their stems. These represent a recurring element of extraordinary symbolic value in jan van huysum's still lifes: these insects, in addition to accentuating the incredible pictorial realism, carried with them a profound allegorical meaning linked to the concept of vanitas.

in fact, beyond the decorative intent and the celebration of botanical richness, the presence of flowers picked at different stages of their life cycle (from turgid buds to fully opened petals) conveys the classic moralizing message of the transience of earthly beauty.

the same goes for the dewdrops, on the leaves and on the surface, which also allude to the transience and fragility of the beauty of flowers, while also being a virtuoso and frequent detail in the painter's still lifes, always demonstrating his ability to capture light and transparency.

the painting displays the typical meticulousness that made van huysum's school famous: every petal, leaf vein, and curved stem is studied from life with great precision. The inclusion of rebellious and sinuous stems (like the one below with the unopened blue bellflower flowers on the right) serves to break up the rigidity of the composition and instill a sense of freshness, movement, and spontaneity.

among his most famous works, which include the themes just discussed, are the following paintings:

image 1 - jan van huysum, bouquet of flowers, uffizi gallery, florence
image 2 - jan van huysum, flowers in a vase, alte pinakothek, munich
image 3 - jan van huysum, still life of flowers with a butterfly, mauritshuis museum, the hague
image 4 - jan van huysum, basket of flowers with butterflies, louvre, paris
image 5 - jan van huysum, vase with flowers in a niche, draiflessen museum, mettingen, germany

additional information:

the painting is presented in a beautiful gilded frame.

the work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

we handle and organize the shipping of purchased works, both in italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

contact us for any information; we will be happy to answer your questions. The painting can also be viewed at the riva del garda gallery; we'd be happy to welcome you to our collection of works.

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https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/ this piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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