A Bowl of Flowers 1672 - 1708

Elias van den Broeck made this oil painting, entitled "A Bowl of Flowers," sometime in the late 17th century. This still life exemplifies the flower painting genre popular in the Netherlands during that period. But what might seem a straightforward depiction of nature is anything but. The flowers shown here would never bloom at the same time, so the artist carefully pieced this image together. The presence of insects such as grasshoppers, painted with great care, is more than just an aesthetic touch. Insects often symbolize the fleeting nature of life. The Netherlands was a major economic power at this time, and these paintings were often commissioned by wealthy merchants. Perhaps these paintings served as a reminder of the transience of earthly pleasures. Art historians consult a variety of sources, including merchant records, botanical texts, and religious tracts, to fully understand the cultural meaning of paintings like this. In doing so, we can come to appreciate how art reflects the society in which it was made.