Gedecoreerde schaal met daarop bloemen 1889

This is a drawing of a decorated bowl laden with flowers, made by an anonymous artist. Floral arrangements such as this were, and still are, commonplace in Dutch culture. Without knowing the precise date, we can only speculate as to the social and cultural influences on the artist. But, looking at the fine detail, the artist seems to have a command of the scientific detail required to depict plants accurately, and it may have been produced as part of a florilegium. The anonymity of the artist could suggest that the image was produced in a botanical institute, commissioned by a wealthy patron, or created by a member of a religious order. Further research into archives might yield further information. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.