"Still Life with Rose Branch, Beetle, and Bee," Rachel Ruysch, 1741.

An artist of the Dutch Golden Age, Ruysch (1664-1750) was meticulous about signing and dating her works, making her one of the best documented artists of her time. Her level of skill and talent has led to her being praised as one of the all-time great still life painters.

The daughter of a scientist/teacher, she had many examples of plants, insects, minerals, and animals to work with. By the age of 18 she was selling her own work under her own name, and her career spanned six decades. When so many women artists went unknown or neglected, she fetched top prices for her work, earning more than Rembrandt did. She was respected and acclaimed in her lifetime and for a long time after her death.

She married a portrait artist, Juriaen Pool, and bore him ten children...and yet she kept on painting, earning more than he did. She even managed to outlive him.

Painted when she was in her mid-70s, this lovely picture shows no sign of her slowing down. The flowers and insects all show her attention to detail and scientific accuracy. One gets a sense that she loved what she was doing.

Happy Flower Friday!

From the Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland.

#Art #RachelRuysch #WomenArtists #DutchGoldenAge #StillLife #FlowerFriday