Bouquet of Peonies, Lilies, Petunias, Daffodils and Other Wildflowers by Gerardina Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen, 1878

Gerardina Jacoba van de Sande Bakhuyzen, a female artist from the Netherlands, was born in 1826. Sande Bakhuyzen is most widely known for her paintings depicting landscapes, flowers, fruit and still life. The artist’s 19th century paintings are typically found in oil, watercolor, and gouache mediums, and are recognized for their ability to contain a striking level of detail that led each of the painter’s pieces to take on a realistic appearance.

Sande Bakhuyzen’s 1878 painting titled “Bouquet of Peonies. Lilies, Petunias, Daffodils and other Wildflowers” depicts, as the title suggests, a collection of various types of flowers contained in a vase that is sitting near the edge of a marble countertop. The simplicity of the soft brown background of the painting allows the viewer’s focus to settle on the main focus of the piece - the arrangement of flowers within the vase. The close attention to detail exhibited by the painter while making this piece is similar to that shown within her other pieces, and within this painting is displayed within every flower petal and leaf. The thin brush strokes used to create these realistic florals allow for a seamless blending of colors, while additionally working in adding tones of delicacy and sophistication to the piece as well. -- Danielle Acosta

Selected Bibliography
Petteys, Chris. “Bakhuysen (Bakhuyzen), Gerardina Jacoba Van De Sande.” Dictionary of Women Artists: an international dictionary of women artists born before 1900, edited by Hazel Gustow, Ferris Olin, Verna Ritchie, G. K. Hall & Co., 1985, pp. 38.