Glazen vaas met bloemen c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have a beautiful, albeit somber, print entitled "Glazen vaas met bloemen", which translates to "Glass Vase with Flowers", made sometime in the 17th century and currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. The artist behind this work is Pieter Schenk. Editor: Immediately, I notice the somber quality you mentioned. Despite being a still life of flowers, which one often associates with vibrancy and life, there's something quite muted and contemplative about it. The engraving medium and monochrome palette lend themselves to a sense of history, like peering into a bygone era. Curator: Indeed, the medium certainly contributes. The choice of engraving, allows for an incredible level of detail, showcasing the texture of each petal and leaf. And of course, the tradition of flower still lifes, particularly during the Dutch Golden Age, carries layers of symbolism beyond mere aesthetics. Editor: Absolutely, during that time, a bouquet wasn't just a pretty sight. Each flower could represent a different virtue, vice, or even a reminder of mortality – vanitas, and the fleeting nature of beauty and life itself. Curator: Precisely! And thinking of Schenk, with that last name "Schenk", literally meaning "give", did he see himself gifting something to us through this rendering? It's really impossible to tell! I am wondering who owned this artwork; would it be displayed, hidden or given to someone as a gift? Editor: Those are fantastic points! Knowing that such prints could circulate widely, they really entered the social sphere differently than unique paintings, becoming accessible tools of instruction and moral reflection to middle-class audiences, perhaps teaching viewers what types of virtues to uphold or what morals to shun. Curator: I hadn't thought of it that way before, seeing this work as an emblem for education. As it hangs on the walls of Rijksmuseum today, its new job is also education but a more gentle one, inviting one to reflect. Thanks, I appreciate our chat today, which is a gift in its own right. Editor: It's been my pleasure too. I walk away today thinking how such historical prints underscore art's intrinsic ability to operate not just as objects of aesthetic admiration but as poignant carriers of societal values and expectations, ready to inform all viewers who will engage with the print in all different contexts.