A still life with a basket of flowers - Flemish school of the 17th century

Oil on panel

Provenance: the Collection of M. Paul Chevalier by the firm of Maurice RHEIMS on Tuesday March 20, 1956, as attributed to Jan Brueghel II

Dimensions: 24 x 32 cm, 39 x 47 cm (framed)

THE ARTWORK

This vibrant still life showcases a woven basket filled with an assortment of meticulously arranged flowers. The dark background brings out the brightness and detail of the blooms, a hallmark of Flemish still life painting. The basket overflows with flowers such as roses, tulips, lilies, and smaller blossoms, typical of 17th-century floral compositions that celebrated nature's abundance and variety.
The tulips—one in bright yellow with red streaks—are prominently placed and evoke the tulip mania that swept through the Netherlands during the early 17th century. The roses, in various stages of bloom, symbolize both beauty and the passage of time. The inclusion of smaller, delicate flowers like daisies and snowdrops adds variety and depth to the composition, further emphasizing the fleeting beauty of nature. Scattered petals and a few fallen blooms on the table reflect the idea of transience, a common theme in vanitas symbolism of the time.
The style of the painting is characteristic of the Flemish School of the 17th century, a period known for its highly detailed and naturalistic still lifes. Originally thought to be the work of Jan Brueghel II, the painting displays some stylistic similarities to his floral compositions. Brueghel's influence, particularly in the use of vivid colors and careful attention to detail, is evident here, even though current scholarship might lean towards attributing it to a follower of his.
Jan Brueghel the Elder, also known as "Velvet Brueghel" for the softness and richness of his brushwork, was a key figure in the development of flower painting in Antwerp, where the genre flourished. His work and that of his followers often featured intricate arrangements of flowers in vases, baskets, or garlands, set against dark backgrounds to highlight their luminosity and detail.
This still life is a classic example of how Flemish artists used flowers not only as decorative subjects but also as symbols of wealth, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life. Such works were popular among collectors and were often commissioned to adorn the homes of wealthy patrons, celebrating both nature’s beauty and human achievement in art.

THE ARTIST

Although the painting was previously attributed to Jan Brueghel II, it is now classified as a work from the Flemish School of the 17th century, working in the style of Brueghel. Many painters from this period were influenced by Brueghel’s innovative approach to flower still lifes, which combined scientific accuracy with artistic beauty. This work’s composition and technique suggest that it was created by an artist familiar with Brueghel's circle but who did not achieve the same level of fame.
It is common for lesser-known artists to have worked in the shadows of more prominent figures like Brueghel, adopting their techniques and subjects to cater to the art market of the time. Additionally, monograms, abbreviated signatures, or even works unsigned were not uncommon, which can lead to challenges in attributing these pieces definitively to one artist.