Aert Schouman (Dordrecht 1710-1792 The Hague)

This lively and highly coloured composition is one of only a small number of surviving botanical studies by Schouman. Two species of plant are depicted in this study; the three tall densely clustered stems are Verbascums shown in both yellow and pink varieties. Between are two sweet-peas whose large petals are richly coloured in deep red and blue. Though the bold colours of the flowers are immediately striking, Schouman is equally skilful in rendering the green stems and leaves which structure this piece. Numerous shades of green, blue and grey have been used to create each stem, the colour applied so fluently that some pale into transparency at the tips.