Sunday, March 2, 2014

Painting: Botanical


BOTANICAL
oil on canvas, December 2013
approx. 40"x34"

This piece, loosely inspired by a classical flora painting, features a traditional Rembrandt tulip. These tulips are characterized by their mottled colour and flaming streaks, with patterns unique to each flower. They were extremely popular int he 1600's (Tulipmania) and were sold for huge amounts of money.Unfortunately, we now know the feathered marks on "Rembrandts" are caused by a virus, which weakens the tulip bulbs before eventually killing them. Tragic!

Though Rembrandt himself isn't known for painting flowers, many Dutch masters are. Authentic Rembrandt tulips were banned but modern, virus-free look-a-like tulips are now on the market.