Twee tulpen met vlieg 1637

Jacob Marrel made this watercolor painting of two tulips with a fly sometime in the 17th century. The meticulous technique, with precise brushstrokes building up layers of translucent color, speaks to Marrel’s skilled hand. These are not just any tulips, though. The “broken” coloration, the streaks and flames of color against the white petals, were caused by a virus, and were highly prized. In fact, during the Dutch Golden Age, tulips like these became luxury commodities. People invested fortunes in single bulbs. Marrel was part of this culture; he painted tulips for wealthy patrons who wanted to record their prized possessions. But he was also recording something else: the speculative fever of the market, the fragility of wealth, and the fleeting beauty of nature. The fly, a symbol of mortality, reminds us that even the most beautiful things are temporary, and subject to decay. So, next time you see a tulip, remember that it’s more than just a pretty flower; it’s a symbol of a complex history of commerce, aesthetics, and human desire. By looking closely at the materials and the making, we can appreciate how this artwork transcends traditional boundaries between art and craft.