Transitory in Nature

 


de Heem, Jan Davidsz. Festoon of Fruit and Flowers, 1660-1670

    In the midst of the 17th century the Dutch had a mass expansion of the middle class. This growth helped vastly improve the quality of life for those residing in the Netherlands. Which in turn, led the merchant class closer towards the arts, with increased disposable income, as well as time. This increase in the economic power of the middle class allowed for the expansion of artistic exploration into broader genres, including Still-Life. 

Jan Davidsz de Heem greatly enjoyed these prosperous times, both in the ways of finance and ego, being regarded as one of the most esteemed artist in the Netherlands in his day.

Festoon of Fruit and Flowers, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam; this work holds its motifs and detail work proudly. This painting portrays the life and virality given to the insects from these decaying fruits, playfully surrounded by tranquil flowers. The petals of which hold breathtaking details, furthering their delicate portrayal of a near withering state.






Every square inch of this painting holds immaculate details, insects dancing on the ledges surrounding the bouquet, soon to be torn skin on overly-plump grapes, veins of leaves soon to be eaten. Each insect, meticulously placed, guiding the eye across the canvas.

Lit in a dimly manner, this painting uses its tone as another method of highlighting the motifs of life, death, and the transience in-between. This use of lighting and enhanced tone, in my eyes, allows for this work to stand on its own in the otherwise crowded space of still-life.




References:

The Dutch Golden Age. Holland.com. (2020, September 3).

 https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/golden-age.htm


Festoen van Vruchten en bloemen, Jan Davidsz. De Heem, 1660 - 1670. Rijksmuseum.

 http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.6677


Jan Davidsz de Heem. Artist Info. 

https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.1383.html

























Comments

  1. DScottOctober 17, 2022 at 12:11 AM

    Hello Max, I enjoyed reading your blog. The way you described the painting was very nice, it showed how much you appreciate this piece. It also allowed me to have a different image with each description. It was great learning some more about Jan Davidsz de Heem and his skillful painting. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JasmineOctober 17, 2022 at 4:06 PM

    Max,
    You are one hundred percent correct in emphasising the amount of detail within this painting. From every crease and reflected angle of the fruit to the detail within the stems and coloring. There is such painstakingly detail that it speaks to the amount of time and care put into this painting for sure. Could you imagine the amount of time and adjustment required to accomplish that amount of detail. It looks so realistic and lifelike that a hungry individual would be tempted to attempt to pluck a grape from it's vine. Great painting choice for sure. Still life and the style with which it is painted truly did take a different route during the Baroque era. Especially with the merchant class boom that it incurred.
    Jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  3. Faith AnnettOctober 20, 2022 at 6:20 PM

    Max,
    I really enjoyed reading your blog and the way you laid it out was excellent. This is a very beautiful painting by Jan Davidsz de Heem. I would love to own a copy of it someday. The way you related this to the rise of the merchant classes is great, because that rise did allow many more people to have art and to make art as well. The artistic genres that popped up during this time, such as still life are amazing. I also loved the way that the artist used colors in his painting to make certain features more detailed and stand out more. The bunch of grapes is something that particularly stands out to me. The many colors used in just this single bunch of grapes is amazing with all the blue, purple, red, and even green. This was a great blog to read!

    ReplyDelete

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