About the artist
Balthasar van der Ast was a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialised in still lifes of flowers and fruits. He was born in Middelburg in 1593 and was a pupil of the still life painter Jan Brueghel the Elder. He was influenced by the work of Ambrosius Bosschaert and his brother-in-law, the flower painter Jan Davidsz de Heem. His works are characterised by a meticulous attention to detail and a delicate use of colour.
Also associated with: Dutch Golden Age, Middelburg, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Ambrosius Bosschaert, Jan Davidsz de Heem, meticulous attention to detail.