Jan van Huysum was born in Amsterdam and trained with his father Justus, a flower painter. After his father died in 1716, he was soon recognised as the most important painter of flower still lifes of his time. Starting with dark backgrounds, he introduced more light in his paintings in the 1710s, eventually moving on to light backgrounds with landscape elements which were highly successful. His compositions are often flamboyant but the flowers are depicted in perfect detail. He had wealthy clients around Europe and died a rich man in his native city.
A painting, drawing or photograph depicting inanimate, everyday objects. Although the genre has been in existence since ancient times, it was popularised in Holland after the Renaissance in the sixteenth century and has continued to be explored in contemporary times.