Flower Paintings at Rijksmuseum
Charming and necessary for any artist. Let’s admire the flower paintings at Rijksmuseum!
This week, I had a lovely time in the Netherlands, where my husband and I spent a few nights. The highlight of the trip was the visit to Rijksmuseum. It’s a huge museum in Amsterdam, and it takes many hours to see even a glimpse of all the artworks. For this post, I took some flower photos for you, as you may, like I do, love flower still lives.
Flower Paintings at Rijksmuseum with Some Notes
I love these paintings because the flowers are not isolated, but layered, giving a rich effect. Remember, you can paint just part of a flower and then another right next to it.
We can learn from Rachel Ruysch that part of the flower can be in the shade, making the most important flowers stand out even more.
Animals are often included in old flower paintings. You can create a miniature world in one flower piece!
The dead frog here represents the cycle of nature. Some of the flowers may also be pointing downwards and appear withering.
I am also fascinated by the backgrounds of old flower paintings. Even if their color is dark or neutral brownish, the variation in darkness or tone makes the painting feel natural.
The abundance of details is a challenge for a busy contemporary artist. But on the other hand, one painting can be the source of inspiration for many pieces!
Did you notice that we started in the 17th century and gradually moved forward in time? The colors and their durability increase, while on the other hand the detail and abundance of flowers decrease.
But no matter what century, such beauty is not only charming, but also necessary. When everyday life slowly creates an empty hole inside me, I call the feeling “old art hunger”.
Now the hunger is gone and the hole feels filled again for a while. Seeing these flower paintings at Rijksmuseum was both a grounding and spiritual experience.
Let’s Paint Flowers – Inspiration for Art-Making
I am obsessed of painting flowers and this whole blog is full of inspiration for that. Here are some top picks for old-world-floral style:
- Flower painting comes to Life (2025) – Watch the video of finishing and exhibiting a floral oil painting
- Flower for Your Art Journal and the sequel Expressive Watercolor Flower Collage (2025) – A video and flower painting inspiration for art journalers
- Watercolor Flower Obsession (2024) – Watch the video of painting a flower card and see me talking about my love for old flower paintings
- Watercolor Greeting Card (2023) – Watch the video of painting a flower card
- Paint Beautiful Decorative Flowers (2023) – Old-world florals transformed to a more decorative art style
- Gelli Plate Meets Fine Art (2018) – A video and step-by step pics for two projects, one of which is a floral still-life
16 thoughts on “Flower Paintings at Rijksmuseum”
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Thank you so much for sharing your photos and tips. It really struck me how I don’t use shadows lately ! You told me a long time ago to make shadows 😄.
Thanks, Wendy, keep creating!
Thank you for sharing this Museum with us. So wonderful to see these paints!
Thank you, Janine!
Thank you for the beautiful photos of these wonderful paintings. They are very inspiring. If I have a chance to go to Amsterdam I shall not miss a visit to Rijksmuseum.
Thank you, Michele!
The detail in these paintings is amazing! Thank you for sharing these works of art. I really appreciate your observations of things I would generally miss by myself.
Thank you, Debbie!!
Lovely to see all these. I recognize so many of the features you’ve taught us to see and use in your classes. So glad you guys had a fulfilling getaway.
Thank you, Heather, we certainly did!
Thank you for both the picturs and your analysis. My favorite old worlds till life’s combine flowers, fruit, and a hint of decay, often insects, wilting flowers, and often a skull. I believe the aspect is called Memento Mori.
T hanks for the links at the bottom of the page.
Thanks, Karen! Yes, I love those paintings too, often called as Vanitas still lives as well. I have actually made one myself: https://www.peonyandparakeet.com/emotional-catharsis/
And I have also explored this theme by making an algorithmic piece by programming: https://www.peonyandparakeet.com/painting-by-programming-vanitas/
Oh Yes! Amsterdam and especially Rijksmuseum, always worth of visiting! I have visited there too, and just loved to see all those old masters paintings there in real! Thanks for another cool blog post. I really enjoy to read these, they are so inspiring always.
Thank you, Susanna!!
I’m struck by the similarities between these museum paintings, did all these artists learn from the same master?? Thank you so much for sharing, Paivi. My parents’ country of origin is full of marvels, I understand.
Thank you, Yope! I have deliberately gathered historical flower still-life paintings for this post. You will see differences once you look at them more.