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Artist
Georg Flegel, born in 1566 in Olmütz, the historic centre of Moravia up to the 17th century in today’s Czech Republic, died on 23rd March 1638 in Frankfurt am Main. Flegel was an important representative of still life art in the early 17th century, a period during which still life was becoming increasingly manifest as an independent motif. In earlier paintings, inanimate objects were only part of a background of portrait paintings or scenes. Now, the painter began to place fruit, flowers, containers, dishes and drinks into the centre of attention.
Artwork
Brief description
The realistic drawings of Georg Flegel of white irises, blue field bind-weed and different types of cherries pursue the trueness to life right into the details. Even the highlights falling from the window onto the cherries are almost photo-realistically drawn. It is possible that Flegel created this and other works as samples for clients, in order to demonstrate the quality and style of his work. 79 of originally 110 pieces similarly made by Flegel were preserved in Berlin after the war. They represent an impressive testimony to the exact observations of nature during the baroque era, whose representation demonstrates the appreciation and awe of creation as a central image motif – but also a curious interest in nature and the desire to penetrate and understand it.
Genre & Material
Water colours and gouache on paper, traces of black chalk.
Where can I find this in Berlin?
In the Kupferkabinett am Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz, Matthaikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin. To find out how to get there, please click the clink below the description.
Georg Flegel, born in 1566 in Olmütz, the historic centre of Moravia up to the 17th century in today’s Czech Republic, died on 23rd March 1638 in Frankfurt am Main. Flegel was an important representative of still life art in the early 17th century, a period during which still life was becoming increasingly manifest as an independent motif. In earlier paintings, inanimate objects were only part of a background of portrait paintings or scenes. Now, the painter began to place fruit, flowers, containers, dishes and drinks into the centre of attention.
The realistic drawings of Georg Flegel of white irises, blue field bind-weed and different types of cherries pursue the trueness to life right into the details. Even the highlights falling from the window onto the cherries are almost photo-realistically drawn. It is possible that Flegel created this and other works as samples for clients, in order to demonstrate the quality and style of his work. 79 of originally 110 pieces similarly made by Flegel were preserved in Berlin after the war. They represent an impressive testimony to the exact observations of nature during the baroque era, whose representation demonstrates the appreciation and awe of creation as a central image motif – but also a curious interest in nature and the desire to penetrate and understand it.
