Flowers in a Glass Vase

Johannes Antonius van der Baren (formerly attributed to) 1616 - 1686

Summary

Verbruggen was a Flemish artist who worked in Antwerp. His work differs noticeably from the later Dutch flower paintings of van Huysum and van Os, owing to its symmetrical arrangement and vertical emphasis. His flowers appear too heavy for the glass vase, suggesting that the composition was created from individual flower studies, although this device does draw attention to the prized 'broken' tulips. Verbruggen reveals an interest in natural history by including a butterfly, dragonfly and magpie moth. The silvery outlines of the dragonfly's beating wings are particularly well painted. Tulips play a dominant part in this painting; their shapes, echoed in the glass vase, give the work its structure. Rare bulbs were expensive and became the subject of rash speculation on the market; because of this, tulips were used in emblem books to illustrate the adage that a fool and his money are soon parted. The arrangement also contains roses, aquilegias and nicotianas.

Display Label

Roses, Tulips, Tobacco Plants and Other Flowers in a Glass Vase 1663 Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen, the Elder 1635-81 Oil on canvas Verbruggen was a Flemish artist who worked in Antwerp. His work is noticeably different from the later Dutch paintings by van Huysum and van Os, displayed nearby, due to its symmetrical arrangement and vertical emphasis. His flowers appear too heavy for the glass vase suggesting that the composition was created from individual flower studies. However, it does draw attention to the prized tulips. Verbruggen reveals an interest in natural history by including a butterfly, dragonfly and magpie moth. The silvery outlines of the dragonfly’s beating wings are particularly well painted. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.535