A Flower Basket 1798 - 1801

Cornelius Høyer painted this small, round oil on panel, “A Flower Basket,” sometime before his death in 1804. Høyer was a Danish painter, known for portraits and topographical views. During the late 18th century, the rising middle class saw an increase in flower painting as symbols of status, wealth, and taste, signaling an engagement with nature and leisure. But such an engagement was deeply classed. The labour required to cultivate such beauty was largely invisible, performed by the working class. Here, the flowers are cut off from their roots, carefully arranged for our consumption. As you gaze at this lovely painting, consider the complex social dynamics that allowed such images to flourish. Note how the floral arrangement speaks to both nature’s beauty and its transformation into a commodity. It encourages us to consider the relationships between art, class, and the environment in the pre-industrial era.