Fleurs

17.12.2007

Artist Coenraat Roepel

Year 1721

The painting depicts an extravagant bouquet placed in a dark recess. The flowers have been pushed rather loosely into the bronze vase and protrude over the side. There are dewdrops on the leaves and insects are creeping around. Coenraat Roepel has arranged his bouquet against a dark background so the flowers, which are brightly lit from the side, stand out sharply. This treatment was usual at the time - his female colleague, Rachel Ruysch, produced similar compositions. Like most other still-life painters, Roepel combined flower types that blossom in different seasons. In reality a rose, for instance, would never be seen in the same bouquet as a tulip.