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A teeming array of flowers including pink carnations and blue irises arranged in a vase against a muted green background A teeming array of flowers including pink carnations and blue irises arranged in a vase against a muted green background

Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, 1754 – 1795 Flowers in a Vase, 1789 (detail) © The National Gallery, London.

Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, 1754 – 1795 Flowers in a Vase, 1789 (detail) © The National Gallery, London.

Dutch Flower Paintings: Exploring Art in Bloom

Thu 22 June - Sun 17 September 2023

Millennium Gallery

Teeming with beauty, colour and life, Dutch flower painting enraptured an age. These popular studies blossomed throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, combining meticulous technique and rich detail with abundant, often fantastical compositions.

 

This exhibition brought ten of the finest examples of Dutch flower painting from the National Gallery to Sheffield for the first time. Works by Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Rachel Ruysch and Jan van Huysum went on display alongside examples from Sheffield’s own collection. Showcasing the developments in the style, the paintings spanned flat botanical observations through to dazzling, vibrant compositions.

Dutch Flower Paintings included a series of modern and contemporary floral works by artists such as Duncan Grant, Cedric Morris and Anne Redpath, on loan from the Jerwood Collection, alongside contemporary works by Paul Morrison and Jason Brooks. The exhibition also featured a new commission by Sheffield-based artist, Kedisha Coakley exploring the links between the historic flower trade and empire, as well as range of family-friendly activities.

 

Exhibition organised by the National Gallery, London, with Sheffield Museums.

 

National Gallery logo

This exhibition has now closed

Millennium Gallery

Arundel Gate

Sheffield

S1 2PP

A teeming array of flowers including pink carnations and blue irises arranged in a vase against a muted green background

Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, 1754 – 1795 Flowers in a Vase, 1789 (detail)

© The National Gallery, London

Exhibition Highlights

  • An arrangement of white, pink, blue, red and yellow flowers against a dark background.

    Jan van Huysum, 1682–1749, Hollyhocks and Other Flowers in a Vase, 1702-1720

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of purple, red, pink, orange, blue and white flowers against a dark background.

    Jacob van Walscapelle, 1644–1727, Flowers in a Glass Vase, about 1670

    © The National Gallery, London

  • A wine glass decorated with blue flowers and ears of wheat, with an orange, a half-peeled grapefruit and seafood in front of it. In front of those are some berries and a snail and further plants.

    Jan Davidsz. de Heem, 1606–1683/4, Still Life, about 1664-5

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of white, pink, blue, yellow and red flowers in a golden vase stood on a mantle or shelf.

    Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, 1754–1795, Flowers in a Vase, 1789

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of pink, red and blue flowers, green berries, black and green grapes, nectarines and other fruits on a shelf or mantle.

    Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, 1754–1795, Fruit and Flowers, 1789

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of pink, orange, yellow, red and blue flowers with foliage in a glass vase on a shelf against a dark background.

    Rachel Ruysch, 1664–1750, Flowers in a Vase, about 1685

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of white, pink, red, blue, purple and yellow flowers in a grey jug against a dark background. Next to the jug are three shells, a large crickets and some dropped petals.

    Balthasar van der Ast, 1593/94–1657, Flowers in a Vase with Shells and Insects, about 1630

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of blue, pink, white and red flowers in an orange vase. The vase is surrounded by fruit including black and green grapes and a bird's nest with eggs in it.

    Jan van Huysum, 1682–1749, Flowers in a Terracotta Vase, 1736-7

    © The National Gallery, London

  • An arrangement of white, yellow, red, pink and orange flowers in a vase decorated with a blue and white image of a bird in foliage. Next to the vase is a cutting from a plant with a pink flower, a butterfly three shells and some flower petals.

    Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, 1573–1621, A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase on a Ledge with further Flowers, Shells and a Butterfly, 1609–10

    © The National Gallery, London

 

 

An arrangement of white, yellow, red, pink and orange flowers in a vase decorated with a blue and white image of a bird in foliage. Next to the vase is a cutting from a plant with a pink flower, a butterfly three shells and some flower petals.

Make an Origami Flower

Learn how to create an origami flower at home inspired by the exhibition.

 

Download instructions here

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