A Bouquet of Flowers 1607 - 1617

Clara Peeters, working in the Netherlands during the first decades of the 17th century, painted this bouquet of flowers on a wood panel. Peeters was one of the few women accepted into the art world at this time. At first glance, the artwork seems like a simple still life, but it tells us a great deal about the social and economic conditions in which it was made. The detailed rendering of the flowers reflects an interest in scientific observation that was emerging at the time. But the flowers are not all in season at the same time, meaning Peeters has assembled them from different sources, reflecting the growth of global trade networks. The presence of expensive, imported flowers like tulips suggests the wealth and status of the patron who commissioned the work. Through careful research in period documents, we can continue to investigate the ways in which art was imbricated in the economic and social life of the Dutch Golden Age.