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Caterpillars and other insects are depicted on the flowers, vase and ledge.
Rachel Ruysch painted only flower still lifes, in which she developed the style of her teacher, Willem van Aelst, towards a more decorative manner and a lighter palette. These compositions brought her great contemporary renown.
This is an early work, still very much in the manner of van Aelst.
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From The National Gallery Podcast: Episode Nineteen, May 2008
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The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN