Balthasar van der Ast
1593/94 - 1657
Balthasar van der Ast was a native of Middelburg in Zeeland. He was the brother-in-law of Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder and trained in Bosschaert's studio in the town.
He continued Bosschaert's style of the precise description of fruit and flowers which are arranged in compositions carefully balanced in form and colour. During his long career his compositions gradually became larger and more complex, often including rare and exotic fruits, flowers, shells and insects. In 1619 he left Middelburg and moved to Utrecht. In 1632 he settled in Delft where he lived and worked until his death.
He continued Bosschaert's style of the precise description of fruit and flowers which are arranged in compositions carefully balanced in form and colour. During his long career his compositions gradually became larger and more complex, often including rare and exotic fruits, flowers, shells and insects. In 1619 he left Middelburg and moved to Utrecht. In 1632 he settled in Delft where he lived and worked until his death.
Related paintings
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN