"Rachel Ruysch grew up in a unique environment, her father's work as an embalmer and his collection of dead objects shaped her view on beauty and life."
"Ruysch became one of the top flower painters in Europe, achieving fame greater than Rembrandt and Vermeer during her lifetime."
"Her father's profession involved transforming decayed biological matter into life-like representations, influencing Ruysch's own artistic vision and themes in her work."
"The juxtaposition of beauty and decay permeated Ruysch's art, allowing her to express the transient nature of life through still-life painting."
Rachel Ruysch, one of the greatest still-life painters, was the daughter of Frederik Ruysch, a famous 17th-century embalmer. Growing up surrounded by his collection of skeletons and preserved specimens influenced her perspective on beauty. While Ruysch did not engage in her father's gruesome work, she channeled her environment into creating stunning floral paintings. During her lifetime, she achieved more fame than renowned artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer, establishing herself as a preeminent flower painter in Europe, ultimately showcasing the contrasting themes of beauty and decay in her art.
Read at The Atlantic
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