Jan van Huysum

Among the most admired forms of still-life presentation is the luxuriant composition of flowers in a vase, placed on a stone table or ledge. This Dutch tradition includes close attention to the details of individual blooms and often celebrates rare specimens, such as the striped tulip at the top of this image. Holland experienced a phenomenon called "Tulip Mania" in the 17th century. Species of the exotic flower had been introduced into Europe from Turkey shortly after 1550 and eventually resulting in the elevation of the tulip to a pinnacle of consumer admiration and desire.

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This painting has sometimes been attributed to Jan van Huysum, among the finest late practitioners of this style; however, there were numerous Dutch and French flower painters who followed his model closely, continuing its popularity through the early 19th century.