Flowers in a Glass Vase with Fruit
Painting on panel or canvas • Circle of Jan Davidsz. de Heem or Abraham Mignon
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque Still Life
Medium & Technique
Oil paint using thin glazing layers and fine-brush detailed realism (fijnschilder style). Features high-contrast chiaroscuro against a dark background.
Creation Period
Mid to late 17th Century (circa 1660-1690)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 50 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vanitas-themed floral arrangement featuring variegated tulips, roses, poppies, and morning glories. The composition includes peaches and apricots at the base, with small insects (caterpillar, butterfly) symbolizing the fleeting nature of life and beauty.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good. Based on the digital image, the paint layer appears stable with some visible fine craquelure consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$40,000 - $85,000 (if confirmed as period circle of a major master)
Auction Estimate
$30,000 - $50,000
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private Dutch collection; typical of works traded in the 19th-century European art market. No specific labels visible in the provided crop.
Art Historical Significance
A prime example of the 17th-century Dutch obsession with botanical precision and the 'Vanitas' tradition, where blooming flowers and ripening fruit represent the transience of existence.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive 'Semper Augustus' style variegated tulip, which was historically the most expensive bulb during the Tulip Mania period. The inclusion of insects serves as a moralizing narrative element.
Condition Issues
Possible minor surface yellowing of varnish; localized craquelure in the heavier white lead pigments (lilies and roses).
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Professional UV-filtered glazing is recommended if it is currently unprotected.