Vaas met bloemen Possibly 1692 - 1825

Jan van Huysum made this vase of flowers in the 18th century using watercolor and graphite. Look closely, and you’ll see how he used the transparency of the watercolor medium to give the flowers a delicate, ethereal quality. The wispy strokes of graphite, meanwhile, add a sense of structure and definition. But why this approach to still life, and the emphasis on such ephemeral materials? Well, remember that van Huysum was working at a time when the Dutch economy was booming, thanks to global trade in luxury goods, including flowers. The demand for botanical art was high, particularly among wealthy merchants eager to display their refined tastes. So, while this image might seem like a simple celebration of nature’s beauty, it also reflects the social and economic context of its time. Van Huysum made this artwork at a time when the lines between art, commerce, and social status were becoming increasingly blurred, making this drawing a fascinating artifact of its time.