Tulip in vase with lizard and butterfly, inspired by Balthasar van der Ast

I painted this picture in 2001. It is all about the beauty, fragility and evanescence of the tulip flower, lizard and butterfly, which Balthasar van der Ast depicted so well. I decided to draw the attention of the eye towards the admiration of the lizard for the butterfly, next to the generosity of the tulip.

Tulip in vase with lizard and butterfly

(1593/94-1657) Balthasar van der Ast was born in Middelburg. There he became a pupil of his brother in law Ambrosius Bosschaert. Van der Ast formed together with his brother, his brother in law and three cousins  the "Bosschaert Dynasty", a group of painters who were known for their still life's. Van der Ast mainly painted still lifes of flowers and fruit. He worked with Roelant Savery and taught Jan Davidsz. de Heem and the sons of Ambrosius Bosschaert.

Detail