National Gallery Installation: Still Life trend

The trend that influences florists today

We're kicked off the summer with a very exciting project: we brought Dutch artist Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder's floral masterpiece A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase (1609-10) to life to celebrate our support of the National Gallery's exhibition 'Dutch Flowers'. 

Dutch still life paintings differed greatly from that which dominated the rest of 17th century Europe. Rather than idealising religion and using mythical figures to express splendours, Dutch artists focussed on the minute details of their subjects, painting with breathtaking precision silkworms, butterflies, leaves and other insects. Bosschaert was a master at conveying the silky texture of petals, the delicate wings of the butterfly and the bumpy surface of a shell. 

Today Bosschaert's style - a harmoniously balanced bouquet painted on a dark background - influences many of our favourite modern-day florists. Here are a few of them:

Copyright: Swallows & Damsons

Swallows & Damsons

We couldn't do an article about moody, atmospheric images reminiscent of Bosschaert's work and not mention Swallows & Damsons. Owner Anna's Instagram feed is a catalogue of modern-day Dutch floral still lifes and her romantic painterly aesthetic is one we're completely in love with. Read our Q&A with her here. 

 

Putnam & Putnam

This New York based florist is run by husband duo Darroch and Michael Putnam. They have designed bouquets and installations in their signature romantic aesthetic for the likes of Vogue, Dior and Martha Stewart. 

Tin Can Studios

Ingrid Carozzi creates lavish bouquets that wouldn't look out of place as the subject of a Dutch masterpiece. 

Jo Flowers

Norfolk-based Jo embodies the ethereal and the romantic in her moody arrangements.

Saipua

Self-taught floral designer, stylist and writer Sarah Ryhanen founded Saipua in 2006 and is now training the new generation of floral designers through her Little Flower School workshops all over the world. 

 

 

 

 

Read about our fresh floral installation earlier this summer of A Still Life of Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase that was up in Trafalgar Square outside the National Gallery. 

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