Insects and Fruit, Jan van Kessel (I), c. 1653 - c. 1661
oil on copper, h 10.9cm × w 14.6cm Catalogue entry
Jan van Kessel painted different kinds of beetles, flies and butterflies near a sprig of white currants with almost scientific accuracy. He relied on illustrations in scientific books on entomology as well as the actual insects themselves. This little painting reflects the sense of curiosity, discovery, wonder, as well as the urge to collect that led to the creation of many cabinets of art and curiosities in the artist’s time.
