Dutch and Flemish flower still lifes 1600-1750
3 March - 13 June 2011 (subject to change)

Tulips, roses and lilies – these flowers are characteristic of seventeenth-century painted bouquets. Dutch and Flemish flower still-life painting came into being just after 1600 and remained popular until 1750. The Mauritshuis will highlight this colourful and beloved genre with 35 splendid paintings from this period.

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Vase with flowers in a window, c.1618

Flower still lifes are characterised by a high degree of perfection, dazzling arrangements and a preference for exotic species of flowers. Precision, variety and rarity – evidently this is what inspired painters of flowers. These masters enjoyed great success, not just in Holland and Flanders, but throughout the rest of Europe.

The focus is on the artists responsible for particularly important innovations, such as Jacob de Gheyn II, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Willem van Aelst, Jan Davidsz de Heem and Jan van Huysum. Special attention is devoted to the two female artists whose still lifes were in great demand: Maria van Oosterwijck and Rachel Ruysch. In addition, drawings and prints demonstrate the close ties between flower art and botany.