From a "Tulip Book", in the manner of Anthony Claesz who produced his own "Tulip Book" in c. 1641. These florilegia were commissioned to illustrate the differences between varieties of tulip bulb which at the time demanded such high prices. The beauty of these works ensured that their images would be copied for decades to come by amateur painters and gardeners alike. Claesz was a Dutch master in his own right, with several highly accomplished works to his name. However, as with most of the great Dutch masters of this period, they happily supplemented their income by illustrating such books. It also allowed them to study in detail subjects that would later be incorporated in their great flower pieces.

Provenance: Private Dutch collection.

Water-colour on Dutch laid paper, light paper toning. Framed and glazed, overall size: 38.7cm by 45.7cm. Dimensions: 180 by 130mm. (7 by 5 inches).