Still Life with Flowers

Unknown artist

c. 1625 - c. 1630

oil on panel

Rijksmuseum

A lush bouquet of flowers in a dark vase is displayed on a table with shells, a lizard, and insects. The arrangement features a variety of blooms in vibrant colors against a muted background. A magnificent bouquet of tulips, roses, iris, columbine and gillyflowers is set in a ribbed glass vase. The artist first made a detailed drawing on the prepared panel before beginning to paint. In the intervening centuries, some of the pigments, primarily the lighter colours, have become transparent, allowing the underdrawing to show through.