description

Ernst Stuven (Hamburg c 1657 - Rotterdam 1712)

oil on canvas
14 1/8 x 12 1/8 inches (36.1 x 31.1 cm.)

Provenance

Peter de Boer Kunsthandel, Amsterdam, 2006
European Private Collection

Detail Description

This is a celebration of natural beauty, while also noting its transitoriness. The butterfly is a symbol of transition, while the snail represents decay. For Ernst Stuven, such beauty was treasured, but not to be taken for granted.