Still Life with Flowers 1815 - 1839

Eelke Jelles Eelkema made this still life with flowers using oil paint on canvas. Eelkema has used the suppleness of his chosen medium to create an illusion of reality. The smooth surface of the canvas allows for almost undetectable brushstrokes, blending of colors, and subtle gradients, giving the impression of naturalism. The use of oil allows the artist to achieve depth and three-dimensionality through the building of layers of color. Though still life paintings are associated with the realm of fine art, the techniques involved can be likened to those of skilled tradesmen: mixing pigments, preparing surfaces, and meticulously applying layers of paint. The creation of this painting would have involved a significant amount of labor, skill, and attention to detail. By appreciating the materials and processes behind this painting, we can begin to understand it not only as a decorative object but as a testament to the artist's labor and craft.