3-098-471 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Vase of Flowers, second half of 16th century. Brueghel composes a symphony of forms and colours: daffodils, tulips, carnations, and roses rise within a blown-glass vase. The painter patiently waited for each species to bloom in order to achieve an almost botanical realism. Small insects can be seen among the petals, reinforcing the sense of truthfulness, while on the table, a small frog and a bezoar stone appear, which was attributed with healing properties, especially as an antidote against all kinds of poisons. Although the traditional interpretation of these vases alludes to vanity and the fleeting nature of existence, Brueghel's stand out for their ability to capture the beauty of the visible world, appealing to aesthetic enjoyment rather than moral reflection.