_Jan van Huysum_ (Dutch: 1682-1749).
Jan was the son and pupil of Justus van Huysum, a painter
of Amsterdam. By close study Jan attained great fame as a
flower-painter. The principal florists of Holland supplied him
with their choicest productions as subjects, and his reputation
soon spread throughout Europe. "Whilst still young he became
rich and honoured, and reached the summit of fortune. The
prices noted in the sale catalogues of the eighteenth century,
which are altogether out of proportion to those realised by
other works, reveal to us with what infatuation this finished
master, so delicate, erudite, and careful, was regarded"
(Havard: _The Dutch School_, p. 264). He usually arranged his
flowers in elegant vases, of which he finished the ornaments
in the most careful manner. He was fond also of introducing a
bird's nest with eggs. Both of these characteristics may be
seen in the picture before us. The care with which he rendered
every detail is remarkable. "As to you, dear old Jan Van
Huysum," writes an artist of our own day, "you have edified me
beyond expression. You teach me that a man can't be too careful
as to his work, be it what it may. Your pearly dewdrops on
the fresh gathered green things of the earth refresh me. Your
tiny ants on the petals of the pink teach me in their minute
contemplation to be like the star, _Ohne Hast, Ohne Rast_. How
cool, and calm, and cheerful, and confident you are, Jan!"
(_Letters of James Smetham_, p. 173). "The world is so old,"
says Ruskin, "that there is no dearth of things first-rate; and
life so short that there is no excuse for looking at things
second-rate. Let us then go to Rubens for blending, and to
Titian for quality, of colour; to Veronese for daylight, and
Rembrandt for lamplight; to Buonarroti for awfulness, and to
Van Huysum for precision. Any man is worthy of respect, in his
own rank, who has pursued any truth or attainment with all his
heart and strength" (Letter to Liddell in the _Memoir_ of the
Dean, by H. L. Thompson, p. 224). Other pictures by Jan Van
Huysum may be seen in the Wallace Collection and the Dulwich
Gallery.
Signed, and dated 1736-1737. Notice the bird's nest, with the
greenfinch's eggs.