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Flowers in a Glass Vase with a Tulip
Rachel Ruysch

Ruysch’s flower paintings are full of movement. She combines minute detail with a sense of the bouquet as an organic whole. Here, blooms are on the verge of opening, the striped canary grass undulates and the honeysuckle seems to lean forward towards the viewer. These effects became more pronounced during the course of Ruysch’s long career.

A magnificent tulip crowns the top of this colorful structure. The deep chiaroscuro recalls Ruysch’s earlier productions, but the main difference between this painting and the Flowers in a Vase lies in the sense of profusion which is typical of the artist’s later works. In 1708 her exceptional talent was rewarded with a prestigious appointment as court painter to the Elector Palatine in Düsseldorf.

Key facts
Artist Rachel Ruysch
Artist dates 1664 - 1750
Full title Flowers in a Glass Vase with a Tulip
Date made 1716
Medium and support Oil on canvas
Dimensions 46.5 × 36 cm
Inscription summary Signed; Dated
Acquisition credit On loan from the collection of Janice and Brian Capstick
Inventory number L1208
Location in Gallery Not on display
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