Animals and Plants 1650 - 1677

Anthonie van Borssom's "Animals and Plants" is painted with oil on canvas, a process demanding skilled labor and expensive pigments. The artwork is defined by the artist’s detailed work. Look closely at the animals, plants, and insects which bring the scene to life, rendered with precision to capture the essence of nature. Borssom employs a wet-on-wet technique, and the alla prima style, as well as glazing to enhance the colors. These techniques required an abundance of materials, and high skill from the artist. The work shows an arrangement of natural objects, but the arrangement is artificial. This could be read as an allegory of social life. The consumption of art was a status symbol that showed both wealth and social standing. By understanding Borssom’s detailed and complex techniques, the materials used, and the social context, we can understand this artwork on a deeper level.