Paolo Porpora (Naples 1617-1670-80 Rome or Naples)

The Irises in a jar shows the northern side of Porpora's artistic nature. The simplified composition, muted palette, highlights gleaming on the vase, and meticulously painted lizard all point to a knowledge of the type of still life that originated with Ambrosius Bosschaert in Antwerp in the late sixteenth century. Early Flemish still life painting was highly prized in Milan. The presence of both butterflies and a caterpillar may allude to various stages of life and its ultimate transience and could be read as a reference to the Resurrection.