Big Shopper by De Heem (Lilies)

This big shopper is inspired by a 17th century flower still-life by Jan Davidsz. De Heem. Where his predecessors created rather stilted flower compositions, De Heem painted real floral explosions - exotic and colourful with flowers at random, all very expressively arranged.

On the one hand he fully celebrated the beauty of flora, on the other De Heem embodied the ‘Memento Mori’ spirit of times, adding all kinds of symbols that referred to how limited one’s time on earth was. Just remember: like a snail or a butterfly, you too could die in a matter of minute!