Metropolitan Museum Exhibit Reveals Hidden Depths of 18th-Century Dutch Floral Painting
New York, NY – A detailed analysis of a 1716 floral still life by Margareta Haverman at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed the artist’s extraordinary technique and the complex composition of a bouquet that could never have existed in nature.
The painting, one of only two surviving works by Haverman, features 30 different types of fruit and flowers, alongside two butterfly species, five other insects, and garden snails. Technical examination showed Haverman employed up to seven layers of paint on the grapes alone, applying some layers while still wet to achieve a remarkably realistic effect. “This bouquet could never exist in reality,” explained Adam Eaker, assistant curator in the Department of European Paintings at the Met. “These flowers don’t bloom at the same time of year, so Haverman would have slowly pieced this work together on the basis of individual studies.”
Haverman’s skill was developed under the tutelage of Jan van Huysum, a highly regarded flower painter, though their relationship was marked by his jealousy of her talent. A 1751 biography noted that Haverman’s “prowess aroused Jan’s envy to such a degree that he longed to be rid of her.” Female artists of the period often faced barriers to entry and were frequently steered towards still life painting due to restrictions on studying the nude form. The popularity of floral painting during this era was also linked to “tulip mania” and later, “hyacinth mania” – periods of intense speculation and inflated prices for these flowers in the Netherlands, as detailed by the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. This artistic focus reflects a broader economic and cultural fascination with these blooms.
Despite the challenges, Haverman excelled, impressing connoisseurs with her ability to paint both from life and copy van Huysum’s work. The Met’s analysis highlights her confidence, evident in her signature and the composition’s use of light and shadow. Further exploration of Dutch Masters and their techniques can be found on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Museum officials stated they plan to continue researching Haverman’s life and work to further understand her place in art history.
