Flower still life: Maria van Oosterwijck

摘要

Tulips, those parabolas of rainbow1 hue, have an upbeat aura, evoking sparkling spring mornings, and perhaps suggesting new beginnings. Fascination with tulips is evidence of humankind's ever-present passion for beauty in nature, and the sumptuous still life paintings by Maria van Oosterwijck (1630-1693) are no exception. The elegance and luminescence of her fiery flowers alone would set the work apart, but cleverly disguised allegorical admonitions are an intriguing embellishment.