A dramatic still life where sunflowers, pine, and oak leaves intertwine in a masterful display of Northern European symbolism.
Sunflowers in various stages of life and decay burst from a simple vase, their forms entangled with sharp pine needles and twisting oak leaves against a deep, velvety black background. The artist employs the fine, sharp lines of etching to build up an astonishing range of textures; from the delicate veins of a leaf to the dense cross-hatching that creates the profound darkness. This unconventional arrangement is a powerful vanitas, a meditation on the cycles of life and death by juxtaposing the fleeting summer flower with the evergreen and the autumnal oak.
Medium: Etching on paper
Inscription on Front: Inscribed in pencil below the plate mark: 'Linoleumsnede' (lower left),
Condition: Framed under glass in a vintage silvered-wood frame. The print shows some light, even toning consistent with age but is otherwise in excellent condition.
