Dutch Flowers

This exquis­ite exhi­bi­tion explores the devel­op­ment of Dutch flower paint­ing from its begin­nings in the 1600s, to its blos­som­ing in the late 1700s.

Teeming with beauty, colour and life, Dutch flower painting captivated an age. These popular studies blossomed throughout the 1600s and 1700s, combining meticulous technique and rich detail with abundant, often fantastical compositions.

This exhibition brings ten of the finest examples from the National Gallery to Plymouth for the very first time.

See works by leading artists in the field including Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder (1573–1621), Rachel Ruysch (1664–1750) and Jan van Huysum (1682–1749).

Specially commissioned works by British artist Kedisha Coakley that explore the relationship between the trade in fruit, flowers and seeds and empire are also be on display, encouraging you to reconsider social and historical narratives from a different perspective.

The Box has also selected a number of related works from its permanent art collection for display, including examples of Iznik pottery from the former Ottoman Empire and 17th century Dutch ceramics, an oil painting by Dutch artist Jan Weenix (1641/1649-1719) and a rare volume of illustrations by renowned entomologist and botanical artist Meria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717).

OPENING HOURS
10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday
The exhibition will be closed for Christmas/New Year on 23, 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January