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2 December 2009
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Flowerpiece
1727
157.5 x 109.2 cm
oil on canvas


This profuse bouquet by Van Huysum gives a real sense of abundance in the way the flowers spill out over the urn. Unlike earlier Dutch paintings each flower is not displayed as if it were a botanical specimen - rather Van Huysum has used all the flowers together to create a decorative whole and the sinuous shapes of the stems and the heavy heads of the flowers all work in a unified design.

The base of the urn and the plinth look at a slightly odd angle, probably because the painting was meant to be hung high up. If viewed from below the proportions appear to be correct again.


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Flowerpiece

Flowerpiece
Jan van Huysum
McLellan Gallery, Glasgow


From Your Perspective

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Your Perspective

Jorma Helenius Finland
I don`t believe that clients accepted unnatural blue leaves in that time.Some one has conservated this painting too active.All glaze levels has been washed away.Now it looks modern enough, with bright colors!I hope that time will be guilty for change of colors.If you compare this painting with other J.v.H paintings, you see difference.

jessica harris thatcham
the painging is beautiful it is breath taking you can tell this painter has feelings

Pamela from Perth, Australia
Flowers in 3D - amazing! I feel as if I could walk around the pedestal. The flowers seem to be animated in some way; a still life that isn't.

Jean Packard from CT USA
Gloriously lively. Dramatic in contrasts. Evokes feelings of flight and inspiration.

maged egypt
very beautiful collection of colours the background colour is great and the stone base under the vase looks real

Helen Forbes Mann
Flowers and Freedom aand Beauty all in vase

Olivia,Redditch
The way the flowers are tumbling down and out of the vase and the vibrant colours make the painting full of life and dramatic,even though they are in a vase there is still that wild element to them,they won't be contained completely.

Beatrice Hale New Zealand
What fun to identify all the flowers in this painting - and what a glorious riot of colour

Flowergirl, Kew
This painting is so full of vitality - all the flowers are bursting forth from the vase and threatening to escape. Breathtaking.



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