Twee tulpen met vliegend hert 1637

Jacob Marrel's "Twee tulpen met vliegend hert" (1637) is a watercolor painting depicting two tulips and a stag beetle, showcasing Marrel's talent for botanical illustration. The tulips, with their intricate white and red patterns, exhibit the striking beauty of the "broken" tulip varieties popular during the Dutch Golden Age. The meticulous detail of the beetle, including its iridescent exoskeleton, demonstrates the artist's keen eye for natural observation. This artwork is a prime example of the Dutch tradition of still-life painting, characterized by precise representation and a scientific approach to depicting nature. It is housed at the Rijksmuseum, offering viewers a glimpse into the aesthetic and scientific appreciation of the natural world during the 17th century.