Tree Trunk Surrounded by Flowers, Butterflies, and Animals

Let's move to the Netherlands. Today, we continue our special month with the amazing collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Enjoy!  :))

 

This painting by Rachel Ruysch seems to depict a scene of unspoiled nature, but it actually mainly shows cultivated flowers. Floral still life usually symbolizes the transience of life and its vanity (vanitas), but this painting also reflects a great interest in and love for the variety in nature by the artist. Ruysch gave a lot of attention to the animals, such as the flying stag beetle, butterfly, and snail.

The fairly large size shows how the artist capitalized 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.

P.S. Check out more stunning floral still lifes by Rachel Ruysch in our Flowers in Art 50 Postcards Set—perfect for sending cheerful springtime greetings! 

P.P.S. Here are 10 iconic floral still lifes you need to know! Aren't they spectacular?