1551 / 1600, Flanders

1551 / 1600, Flanders

Identifier
17.1399
Transfer of custody
MFA Boston
Acquisition
Gift of Denman Waldo Ross, April 5, 1917. / Denman Waldo Ross Collection
Collection
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
296.5 cm (height)
299.7 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

Giant, curling acanthus leaves fill the area of the field completely. A flowering bush rising from the central pot in the lower border sends its blossoming stalks into the field. Five birds with brilliant plumage and two snails perch on the great acanthus leaves. The border shows rich vegetable ornaments arranged against a golden yellow ground. In the lower border, two garlands of vegetables and flowers hang between the central pot and the polygonal plinths in the corners. Laden pots appear near the top of each side border. Parts of a balustered colonnette appear in each side border behind the vegetable forms. In the upper border, garlands of flowers and fruits hang between the capital of the colonnette and the central floral motif. Much of the foliage, and many of the flowers and fruits, extend beyond the edges of the borders and well into the area of the field.