Heritage Teacher

Traditions International Educational System

Sue Pruett MDA HA

For this thesis I am studying the work of Jan Van Huysum.  I am concentrating on the detail and dimension that this artist is well known for.  I am using several elements from this artist’s body of work to create a new composition.  The three dimensional aspects of his floral containers table top surfaces, and the realistic rendition of his flowers play a major role in my composition.  I am working with high contrast, intensity and value to create a powerful focal area without distracting from the depth within the presentation.

Jan van Huysum -Still life 1724 'Bouquet of Flowers and in Urn'

Link to the artist work:

The above picture just a sampling of Jan Van Huysum's wonderful style.  Copyright free image of the painting I want to study is not available, visit the following link to see more of his work. http://www.noortman.com/content/2-collection/html/c_huysum.html

Artist: Jan Van Huysum was born on April 15, 1682 and died February 8, 1749.  Jan's first art teacher was his father Justus van Huysum (1659-1716) who was the head of his family enterprise.  His three children assisted him in the demands of the large scale production for decorative flower pieces.  After Jan got married he chose to move on and become his own independent artist, not working with his father.  He guarded his success to the point of being over-secretive: working in strict privacy that none might see the preparation of neither his pigments nor how he painted.  He traveled during the summer months to study flower specimens and for this reason some of his paintings took years to complete.  Kings, Queens, and Dukes were eager patrons of his during his lifetime and after his death.  His favorite subject matter was still life, fruit, flowers and landscapes, although the later was not his forte.  Jan Van Huysum was the last in the era of the Old Dutch Masters.