Bouquet of Flowers with a Painted Lady Butterfly 1763 - 1825

Willem van Leen made this watercolor drawing of a flower bouquet with a butterfly. The composition is a tightly packed display of flora arranged with a rather delicate, slightly faded palette. Van Leen was working in the Netherlands during a time of great political and economic change. The Dutch Republic had been a major power in the 17th century, but by the late 18th century it was in decline, facing internal political divisions and external pressures from other European powers. Against the backdrop of social upheaval, the market for luxury goods such as flower paintings thrived. The popularity of such paintings reflected the values of the Dutch upper and middle classes, who prized refinement, natural beauty, and conspicuous consumption. Flower paintings, like this one, were often displayed in homes as status symbols. To understand the historical meaning of this and other artworks, we look at diverse resources, from economic data to political pamphlets. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social context.