Still life with roses, peonies, tulips, narcissi, convolvulus and other flowers in a vase on a marble ledge

Arnoldus Bloemers was born in Amsterdam in 1792 and studied at the Academy of Amsterdam under Antoine Piera. Bloemers was largely inspired by one of the best-known seventeenth-century masters of still lifes, Jan van Huysum (1682-1749), whose work was widely admired and whose influence on floral still-life painting was far-reaching.

The present painting fits seamlessly into the tradition of Dutch flower painting. An overflowing terracotta vase of flowers from all seasons has been placed on a ledge against a neutral background. An overflowing terracotta vase of flowers from all seasons has been placed on a ledge against a neutral background. This richly composed still life is characterised by the tension between the warm, subdued earth tones of the ledge and background and the vibrant pinks, whites, and reds of the flowers. The play of light, which fades some elements to the background while highlighting others in the foreground, combined with the almost tangible quality of the flowers, is a testament to the great skill of this nineteenth-century master of still life.