Roze rozen in een gemberpot met Chinese decoraties c. 1915 - 1947

Frans Everbag made this watercolour of pink roses in a ginger pot decorated with Chinese motifs in the first half of the 20th century. Floral still lifes were particularly popular among middle-class consumers in the Netherlands. They carried connotations of domestic comfort and the good life. But here, the presence of Chinese ornament suggests an engagement with global trade. Through the Dutch East India Company, the Netherlands had a long history of contact with China, importing luxury goods. It's possible that Everbag is commenting on this aspect of Dutch society, making a statement about the nation's colonial past and the relationship with the far east. If we want to better understand the precise intent of the artist, we could consider the location in which it was exhibited, the kinds of patrons who purchased his art, and the social class to which he belonged. These kinds of historical details help us to fully understand this painting.