Ambrosius Bosschaert

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, 1573-1621

Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder was born in Antwerp but he and his family were among the many Protestant refugees who fled to the Northern Netherlands in response to religious persecution. They settled in Middelburg in Zeeland in about 1587.

He began his training in Antwerp and joined the Middelburg guild as a master in 1593. He specialised in painting precise flower and fruit still life, in the manner of botanical illustrations but grouped in compositions, which carefully balance form and colour.

A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase was painted in 1609-1610 in Middelburg where the artist lived most of his working life.  He drew inspiration from botanical gardens and luxury goods.