Fruit and Insects
Rachel Ruysch. 1711 C.E. Netherland. Oil on wood
This luscious sample of life on Earth represents at least two passions of its time: categorization and still-life, which emphasize the pleasure of the senses and their qualities
Artist: Rachel Ruysch
Date: 1711 C.E.
Current Location: Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
Material: Oil on Wood
Form:
Still-Life paintings
Function:
Painted for her Cosimo III = sign of friendship and common wealthy status
Sold for double that Rembrandt's paintings sold for
Painting for a widening merchant class
Intricate and formulaic approach that dominated the late Renaissance
Less complex but more realistic
Context
Renaissance art was at its peak––> artists began to challenge the societal norms (accepted artistic styles and elements of the time)
Artists reinvented the way art was portrayed ––> led to a new form of art
Vibrant colors (red and green)
Uncommon subjects
1648 = Netherlands became independent from Spain (economic prosperity)
Flourishing international trade = newly affluent middle class
Wealthy merchants created a new kind of patronage and art market = producing directly for buyers (rather than work commissioned by the church)
Historical, mythological, or religious paintings were no longer desired = buyers wanted portraits, still-life, landscapes, and paintings of everyday life
Artworks that would reflect their success
Rachel Ruysch became known as one of the greatest floral painters of her time
Rachel Ruysch
Grew up in Amsterdam into a wealthy family of Dutch artists, architects, and scientists
First successful female artist during the Baroque
She specialized in still life (a theme of natural beauty in life)
Art that reflected the time period (microscope was perfected)
Her father, Frederik Ruysch, was a scientist (professor of anatomy and botany) who inspired the small details in her work
He had a collection of rare natural historic specimens that led Rachel to help, catalogue, and record
Led Rachel to her fascination with insects
He encouraged her artists talents with careful observation of the natural world
At 15 years old, began apprenticeship with famous painted Willem van Aelst (also specialized in still life)
At 18 years old, she produced her first still life and established her career...
At 29 years old, she married painter Juriaen Pool (had 10 children)
Remarkably prolific = produced 250 paintings in 7 decades
“Holland’s art prodigy”
“Our subtle art heroine”
Scientific interest into categorizing
Content:
Possessed elegant skill and technique (element of sensitivity)
She used bold and dynamic colors and textures
Parallel to the growth of the Dutch industry and science of botany
Flowers became newly appreciated simply for their beauty and fragrance
Desirable status symbols for the wealthy
However this work speaks to fruits and insects
Season = Autumn
Subject = fruits, vegetables, harvest, and insects
Composite of the studies (combined into this composition)
Grapes = blood of Christ
Animals = naturalism
Corn, Squash, Chestnuts
Also Wheat = Eucharist (christian symbolic value)
Attention to detail (particularly leaves and flowers)
Less symmetrical and much more lively
Curves (a sense of movement)
Less formalized and orderly
Possessed energy and creativity
A sense of illusion and realism (the painting seem real)
Story (a world of its own)
Butterfly that is about to land but perhaps has second thought because their is a salamander or a small lizard
Additional Works:
