Twee tulpen met libelle, spin en hommel 1637

Jacob Marrel painted these two tulips with dragonfly, spider and bumble bee in the 17th century, using watercolor and gouache. Here, the tulip is a potent symbol of its time, embodying the speculative frenzy of the Dutch Golden Age. But look closer, and you'll see the fleeting presence of insects – a dragonfly, a spider, a bumblebee. These creatures, often overlooked, carry their own symbolic weight, reminding us of the transience of beauty. Think of the butterfly in countless vanitas paintings, a winged messenger of mortality. The spider, with its intricate web, weaves a narrative of entrapment. Its presence is felt in ancient myths, where it symbolizes fate, and is carried through time from Arachne’s weaving skills to contemporary visual culture. Here, it subtly suggests the darker aspects of human nature, our tendency to ensnare and be ensnared. Consider how such symbols persist, transformed yet recognizable, tapping into our collective unconscious. These images of nature serve as memento mori, prompting us to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life and beauty.